A tree shelter (1) comprises a biodegradable fibrous mat (2) coated with a degradable resin (5) and adapted to be formed into a roll which can enclose at least the lower part of a plant (11). The mat (2) is preferably non−woven and its structure is preferably impregnated with a second degradable resin (4) which degrades at a different, preferably faster, rate to that of the first degradable resin (5) under the same environmental conditions. Such a shelter (1) has the advantage that once the first resin (5) has substantially degraded over a predetermined time period to expose the mat to the weather, the second degradable resin (4) commences a faster degradation to cause the mat (2) to decompose rapidly into a loose fibrous state and ultimately form a beneficial mulch around the stem or trunk (12) at the base of the plant (11).
