Vigilis Bio Hedge Wrap

About Vigilis Bio Hedge Wrap

The Vigilis Bio Hedge Wrap is a 100% soil-biodegradable, plastic-free hedge wrap, also known as a spiral guard, for individual hedgerow plants, young shrubs and single tree stems. It opens to fit around the stem in seconds, needs no stake and expands as the plant grows. The wrap protects against rabbit and hare browsing, herbicide drift and strimmer damage until the plant is established, then there’s nothing to retrieve: it biodegrades in the soil and leaves no microplastics or landfill waste behind. It was developed with more than £360,000 of Innovate UK R&D funding and validated in the UK’s largest independent field trial for a biodegradable tree guard. Full manufacturer specifications are on the Vigilis Bio Hedge Wrap product page.

Plastic-free, stake-free protection for hedgerow planting and rewilding

The Vigilis Bio Hedge Wrap is built for slim, single-stemmed hedging whips, with a wrapping body that opens to fit around the stem and expands as the plant thickens. Because it needs no stake and is left to biodegrade in place, it is a simple, low-cost protection option for large-scale and remote hedgerow planting, rewilding and farm wildlife schemes, where collecting guards afterwards would add significant cost.

• Breaks down naturally in the soil once its job is done, so there’s no retrieval labour, plastic recovery or landfill to arrange at end of life.
• Wraps around the stem and stands on its own, so a stake isn’t required; add an optional bamboo cane for support on exposed sites or taller plants.
• Made from a patented plant-based material derived from potato, wood and corn. It’s soil-biodegradable to ISO 17556, degrades in normal soil temperatures (around 20°C) and leaves no microplastics or harmful residues.
• Opens out as the stem thickens, so the wrap never constricts the plant as it grows.
• Guards against rabbit and hare browsing, herbicide drift and accidental strimmer damage in one wrap.
• Biodegradable guards like this one are accepted, and often preferred, on Countryside Stewardship hedgerow agreements and similar schemes where reducing plastic is an objective. Check the conditions of your agreement with your scheme adviser; data sheets are available on request.
• Backed by more than £360,000 of Innovate UK R&D funding and the UK’s largest independent field trial for a biodegradable tree guard, with results available on request.

Which size do I need?

All sizes share the same 45–60mm diameter; choose the height to match the browsing threat on your site.

Specifications

*Timeframes are approximate and vary with environmental conditions; provided for guidance only.

How to install a Vigilis Bio Hedge Wrap

Open the wrap and place it around the plant stem, putting the inner fold on the outside as you close it to hold the diameter. No stake is needed, but on exposed sites or for taller plants you can add a bamboo cane and secure the wrap loosely so it can still expand; a biodegradable tie keeps the whole system plastic-free. Because the wrap is designed to break down in the soil, leave it in place at the end of its working life; there is nothing to collect. Store wraps undercover in cool, dry conditions and out of direct sunlight before use. Keep them upright with nothing stacked on top, since UV exposure will shorten their working life.

Choosing across the Vigilis range

This page covers the soil-biodegradable, plastic-free hedge wrap. If collecting guards after establishment is practical, the recyclable Vigilis Hedge Wrap is also available. For multi-stemmed hedgerow plants and native shrubs that need a wider profile guard rather than a spiral wrap, see the Vigilis Bio Shrub Shelter and recyclable Vigilis Shrub Shelter. For single-stem trees, the Vigilis Bio Tree Shelter and Vigilis Standard Tree Shelter cover the full range.

Frequently asked questions

What makes the Bio Hedge Wrap biodegradable?

It is made from a patented plant-based material that breaks down through natural microbial activity in the soil. It contains no conventional plastic and needs no collection at end of life. The wrap degrades safely in place, which cuts whole-life management cost and leaves no plastic waste in the hedgerow.

Do Vigilis hedge wraps need a stake?

No. A stake is optional rather than required. On exposed sites or for taller plants a bamboo cane adds stability; secure the wrap loosely to the cane so it can still move and expand as the plant grows. Using a biodegradable cane and tie keeps the whole system plastic-free.

How long does the Bio Hedge Wrap last?

It has a functional life of at least three years, which covers the critical establishment phase. After that, the material begins to biodegrade in the soil over approximately a further three years. Degradation rate varies with soil and climate, so these figures are for guidance only. There’s no need to remove it: it degrades in place.

Which species are hedge wraps suitable for?

They suit single-stemmed hedgerow and woodland-edge species including hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, field maple, hornbeam, spindle and dogwood. They are not suited to very bushy, multi-stemmed plants from the outset; for those, use the Vigilis Bio Shrub Shelter.

Is it suitable for grant-funded hedgerow schemes?

Yes. Biodegradable guards are accepted, and often preferred, on Countryside Stewardship hedgerow agreements and similar grant-funded schemes that aim to reduce plastic on site. Always check the specific conditions of your own agreement with your scheme adviser; data sheets and supporting documentation are available on request. If collecting guards after establishment is straightforward on your site, the recyclable Vigilis Hedge Wrap is also available.