A protective mesh for young trees. The mesh comprises a cylindrical mantle section with a radial outer section and a radial inner section. The mesh consists of wire or plastic and has members which run parallel to its central axis and members which run at an angle to it. The members are melted together at their crossover points. The ratio of the apparent free surface to the total surface lies between 4/9 and 16/25, and the longitudinal strands have a spacing of 0.8 - 1.5 cm.
