Abstract: An animal guard for tree trunks comprising an annular flexible plate having a central circular opening and a skirt portion completely around the central opening; at least one slot extending through the skirt forming the plate into a separable member having abutting edges; a pair of spaced fastener holes in the skirt radially aligned and positioned adjacent one abutting edge of the slot; an inner and an outer spaced parallel arcuate slot in the skirt radially spaced from one another and positioned so that the fastener holes and the slots cooperate with each other when the plate is positioned in a truncated conical position about a tree trunk; the inner slot and associated fastener hole being a substantial distance closer to the inner periphery of the plate than the outer slot and associated fastener hole is to the outer periphery so as to not provide a gripping surface for an animal attempting to pass the guard.