Abstract: Described herein are biodegradable, encircling protective devices used to protect seeds and saplings during their greatest vulnerability after germination while promoting growth of the sapling, preventing detritus and competing plants from fouling growth, and simultaneously fending off predation from herbivores or omnivores, which devices melt when exposed to controlled fire without harmful side effects.

Abstract: A vegetative support and high stress training cultivation apparatus includes a body member having a continuous channel wrought in an upward surface thereof. A first portion of the body member is disposed at 100° to 110° relative a second portion of the body member. A plant limb is securable into the continuous channel by action of each of a pair of hook and loop fastening bands attached to the body member and devised to secure overtop the plant limb and maintain the limb interior to the continuous channel whereby the plant limb is caused to bend between 100° to 110° over a knee-bend. A triangular bracket disposed on an undersurface of the body member enables hooking engagement to existing lines strung to anchor the plant limbs along projected trajectories. The body member is readily installable and removable without damaging the plant.

Abstract: A crawling insect barrier in which the combination of elements functions as a natural device to prevent ants or other crawling insects from accessing a table, cabinet, storage bin, structure, or any area wherein crawling insect infestation is undesirable. In one embodiment, a feather ring comprises a string (elastic or fixed length) to which natural feathers of various sizes and shapes are fastened, to thereby create a natural barrier or boundary that prevents crawling insects from crossing, and thus inhibiting the insects' ability to carry food, mark a path, build a nest, or infest an area. In another embodiment, a band or strap is used as the underlying surface on which the feathers are attached. If the string, band or strap is not elastic, the crawling insect barrier can be attached with adhesive or some other conventional fastener. The invention also includes a corresponding method of making the natural crawling barrier.

Abstract: A novel collapsible plant support includes a collapsible coil adapted to rest on a flat surface. In a particular embodiment, the collapsible plant support includes a plurality of vertical support structures coupled to the collapsible coil so as to provide additional support. In another particular embodiment, a collapsible plant support includes plant receptacle receiving element that supports both a collapsible coil and also a plant receptacle. In a more particular embodiment, the plant receptacle receiving element includes fluid ducts for connecting multiple plant receptacle receiving elements into a fluid network. In another embodiment, the coil is disposed within a helical sleeve coupled to a flexible, cylindrical mesh.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tree guard and an associated method for installation thereof for protecting cambium beneath the bark layer from mechanical damage caused by a tree support cabling system. The tree guard includes a cylindrical tube with a top wall and a bottom wall, a proximal end and a distal end sufficiently differentiated in length by a barrier ring rigidly attached on the top wall, such that the distal end be encircled and threaded through a hole at a first face of a trunk to reach a second face and the proximal end of the tube be remain out positioned about a circumference of the hole when the barrier ring anchors the tube against the trunk. The tube and the barrier ring having an inner diameter, and an outer diameter sufficiently larger to enable the cable to enter the tube and prevent the cable movement against the cambium, and not to inhibit growth of the tree respectively.

Abstract: Devices and methods for attaching objects to living trees. Various forms of the devices employ a flexible member and mounting member that are configured to be looped and secured around a tree portion at a beginning of a predetermined time period. The mounting member and flexible member are configured to slide relative to each other to accommodate growth of the tree portion such that the device remains secured to the tree portion for at least the duration of the predetermined period of time without the need for human intervention. In other embodiments, the mounting member is integrally formed with the object or no mounting member is employed.

Abstract: A tree tie and method of use is disclosed. The tree tie comprises a member. The tie member including a first end portion; a first tab coupled to the first end portion; a middle portion and one end of a middle portion coupled to the first tab. The tie member also includes an opposite end of the middle portion coupled to a second tab, a second end portion coupled to the second tab and a head portion coupled to the second end portion. The tree tie including a flexible hose surrounding the middle portion of the first member and being substantially held in place by the first and second tabs. Only flexible hose contacts the tree when the first member surrounds the tree.

Abstract: A tree tie and method of use is disclosed. The tree tie comprises a member. The tie member including a first end portion; a first tab coupled to the first end portion; a middle portion and one end of a middle portion coupled to the first tab. The tie member also includes an opposite end of the middle portion coupled to a second tab, a second end portion coupled to the second tab and a head portion coupled to the second end portion. The tree tie including a flexible hose surrounding the middle portion of the first member and being substantially held in place by the first and second tabs. Only flexible hose contacts the tree when the first member surrounds the tree.

Abstract: A belt device for arrangements which are put under tensile load, particularly for systems for the securing of tree crowns, having a belt (10) with a loop at each end (12, 12?) which is formed by turning over the end parts of the belt (10) and fastening the ends to the belt, wherein the fastenings (14, 14?) and the belt (10) are adapted to withstand a pre-determined minimum tensile force. In order to guarantee a good visibility of the indicating element even from greater distances, it is proposed by the invention that the belt (10) is overlapped by an indicating element (16) in the vicinity of at least one of the loops (12), which indicating element shortens the belt (10) and is fastened with two end portions on the belt (10) such that one of the fastenings (18) gives way when a pre-determined tensile force acts on the belt (10), the tensile force being smaller than the minimum tensile force which the loop fastenings (14, 14?) and the belt withstand.

Abstract: A device is described for repelling pests from fruit and other trees as well as certain plants. The device consists of an adjustable collar that is strapped tight around the tree trunk, tree branches or plant stem. The collar consists of a liquid absorbing foam strip and a tying mechanism such as a pipe clamp, or Velcro strap. To be most effective, the foam strip should completely surround the tree trunk or plant stem so as to not allow any way of passage for ants and other tree-crawling pests to make it through the repelling barrier without having to crawl over it. A repellant or insecticide is poured on top of the collar's foam strip. Thus a repelling barrier is created that crawling pests will not cross or that causes a repelling aroma to engulf the tree or plant and which repels flying insects.

Abstract: An apparatus to prevent climbing a vertically disposed member is provided. The apparatus includes a covering member manufactured from a predetermined material and having a predetermined shape, a predetermined thickness, and a predetermined size. A securing mechanism is operably connected to such covering member at a predetermined location thereon for securing such covering member at least one of to and around a predetermined object such that such object is rendered substantially incapable of being climbed upon at the location covered by the covering member.

Abstract: A system for supporting lines of trees growing in pots includes poles supported in an upright position, with a first cable running between pairs of poles. Tree trunks are attached to the first cable with a device that includes a length of helical cable, a second cable, that is adapted for mating with the first cable, formed into a “V” shape. A pair of deformable cylinders, one having a longitudinal slit, are included. The slit cylinder is positionable over the first cable on a first side of the tree trunk. The second cylinder is threaded onto the second cable into a notch section thereof, and placed on a second side of the tree trunk. The two arms of the second cable are wound about the first cable on opposite sides of the tree trunk to prevent slippage therebetween, leaving at least one end free for ease of disconnect.

Abstract: A tree ring that inhibits and/or prevents vegetation growth around the trunks of trees. The tree ring comprises an elastic outer peripheral edge and an elastic inner peripheral edge. In between elastic outer peripheral edge and the elastic inner peripheral edge is a flexible sheet. The flexible sheet has a plurality of holes. The tree ring is removably secured onto a tree pot of any dimension, size, or shape. The elastic outer peripheral edge stretches around the rim of the tree pot, and the elastic inner peripheral edge snugly fits around a tree trunk. It is noted that the distance between the elastic outer peripheral edge and the elastic inner peripheral edge that makes up flexible sheet may vary.

Abstract: A barrier against arthropods crawling along a surface comprises a soft pliable polymer collar portion adapted for tight and substantially continuous receipt against a surface. A mounting portion secures the collar to the surface and serves to preventing relative motion between the collar and the surface. A generally continuous flared skirt member extends from the collar and is comprised of a soft pliable polymer having a arthropod-deterring ingredient molded therein. The skirt defines an unobstructed access opening opposite the collar. The opening is defined by an end of the generally continuous skirt.

Abstract: A system for protecting trees and structures from infestation by crawling or climbing insects by attaching an insect barrier to the wall surface of the object to be protected. The barrier consists of a belt means, which may be made from a plastic sheet material and may be wrapped around the object to be protected, including a contact means that engages the surface of the object. The contact means may have a deformable thickness, such as provided by a layer of a non-woven fabric, to prent the passage of insects between the barrier and the surface of the objet. The free ends of the belt means are secured to each other to retain the belt means against the surface of the tree and engage the contact means against the tree surface. The belt means has slippery surface means, having a low coefficient of friction with respect to insects, that prevents the travel of insects on the belt means, preventing them from proceeding over the belt means and infesting the tree or structure to be protected.

Abstract: A method for controlling the spread of kudzu utilizes vertical, or near vertical, smooth surfaces which do not provide a horizontal step for continued vertical growth of kudzu. Accordingly, a clear zone may be established mechanically or otherwise and guards placed intermediate the kudzu and an area to be protected wherein when the vines contact the guards, they are unable to unsupportedly span the guard to continue upward growth and then into the protected area.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a tree or shrub, comprises a plurality of stakes each including first and second ends, respectively, the first ends being adapted for permitting the stakes to be driven into the ground, a plurality of straps, and attachment hooks located on the plurality of stakes, respectively, for securely attaching a portion of selected ones of the plurality of straps thereto, respectively, wherein the plurality of stakes are arranged in a desired spaced apart configuration around the root ball, and driven via their respective first ends at least partly into the ground, each of the plurality of straps being individually connected via the attachment hooks to and between a selected pair of the plurality of stakes, respectively, for providing a desired configuration of a single layer or multiple overlying layers of the plurality of straps, whereby the plurality of straps are positioned over and against the root ball to provide a downward force thereagainst and to secure the root ball in place.

Abstract: A barrier against arthropods crawling along a surface comprises a soft pliable polymer collar portion adapted for tight and substantially continuous receipt against a surface. A mounting portion secures the collar to the surface and serves to preventing relative motion between the collar and the surface. A generally continuous flared skirt member extends from the collar and is comprised of a soft pliable polymer having a arthropod-deterring ingredient molded therein. The skirt defines an unobstructed access opening opposite the collar. The opening is defined by an end of the generally continuous skirt.

Abstract: A effective device, providing 24 hours, 7 day per week protection and control of small tree nesting animals infestation in a commercial or residential setting. The SQUIRREL COMBATON is a simple, two foot by six foot, 0.025 gauge rectangular-shaped aluminum panel strategically secured on the trunk of the tree The combined effect of the camouflaging tree pattern and the presentation of the “Owl Eyes” simulation onto the panel would remain unnoticed by those passers-by and doubles the effectiveness of the device. The flexibility of this product would enable it to be easily wrapped around the tree, but at the same time it would be durable enough to tightly hold its form around the tree. It would also be weatherproof, and able to be used during all four seasons. Thus a considerably most effective and versatile tree shield/guard in simplicity and utility.