FARM FORESTRY Eclipse User manual

FARM FORESTRY CO Ltd
w. www.farmforestry.co.uk e. [e-mail] t. 01588 650496
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF SHELTERS
The Eclipse Shelter 60cm x 1 0mm Diam
The Balance Shrub Shelter 60cm x 150mm & 170mm Diam, and 75cm x 150mm Diam
The Continental Fine Mesh Shelter 60cm and 75cm x 1 0mm Diam
Usage - Primarily used on conifers, shrubs and broadleaved trees, depending on plant type, age/size and
bushiness.
Support – All the above shelters are designed to be supported with two heavy weight canes, placed inside, 3ft
4/ 6lb or 3ft 6/ 8lb canes are best weights for 60cm shelters. (3ft 6/ 8lbs canes best if very exposed).
Canes encourage root growth as they rot, the shelter moves with the wind encouraging strong root growth.
Canes will also damage the trees less than stakes if they have not been removed, during routine maintenance
as is advisable.
One stake (90cm 25/25mm or 90cm 32/32mm) can also be used, placed inside, for the Continental and Eclipse
Shelters. However, with Continental Shelters, the tops must be stretched and flared to keep the top open.
Stakes should be placed on the windward side, and shelters tensioned to the ground when stapling.
The Balance Shrub Shelters require two supports due to the larger diameter of the shelter. You can use, two
bamboo canes, two stakes, or one stake and one heavyweight cane.
A – PREPARATION - Plant shrub or tree after levelling site, and removing any major vegetation or debris. A
small plateau is needed immediately around the tree if steep ground. This will also help moisture retention so
as to catch rain water.
B – SUPPORT - Push one cane in the ground, as deep as possible, about 00mm from the tree, for the Balance
Shrub Shelters, or 50mm for the Eclipse and Continental Shelters. Open shelter out using two hands and place
over the cane and the tree.
Place the second cane inside the shelter at the right distance from the first cane so that the shelter is opened
out fully, but not under strain. If both canes are installed together at the same time and the shelter placed
over them, very often the canes will be too far apart, and the shelter will be stretched and go ‘Flat’!
The shelter should be turned so that the canes open out the shelter fully, the shelter has two folds only.
C – FIXING - If Small Numbers, A 40mm long ratchet tie can be pushed through the mesh on one side only,
so as to trap one cane just under a nodule. This will prevent the shelter rising up the canes if windy or as the
tree / shrub grows. Fixing on one side only is sufficient and will make ‘beating up’ losses much easier.
If Larger Numbers, A Rapid R36 staple Gun with 4mm staples will staple into bamboo canes. The staple does
not need to go all the way in. One staple into one of the two canes is sufficient. Using one staple makes

‘beating up’ when replacing losses a lot easier. Tension the shelter by pushing downwards at the moment of
stapling, this will prevent a gap appearing at the shelter bottom if the ground settles after planting.
(A Rapid R34 staple gun can be used for stapling into stakes and is cheaper than an R36)
STAKE FIXING – If stakes are preferred, one stake can be used for Eclipse and Continental Shelters, but
remember to stretch and flare Continental tops, a staple is best used to secure the shelter to the stakes,
ratchet ties can be used but are time consuming
Routine Maintenance – Canes or stakes should be removed from fine mesh shelters prior to stem breakout,
and before any possible damage occurs. The Shelter should be removed later from around the tree prior to
any damage occurring.