How did we get here?
The Garto Tree Protector was created after frustrations during native plantings at our farming sites in Southland.
We found plantings required too much constant attention to keep alive - as no existing product seemed to be able to fully protect from the challenges that young native trees face without constant spraying and monitoring. Facing this issue, we built a product that finally would.
The Garto Tree Protector product is an advancement of typical planter guards, having the right features, size and strength so that plantings can grow without intervention or worry.
Garto Tree Protectors were designed in Southland and are manufactured in Auckland New Zealand.
How is it made?
Great question.
Our Garto Tree Protectors are made in Auckland NZ by injection molding. Recycled plastics are heated and pressed through the mold at high pressure.
We use only recycled PP plastic (number 5 recyclable plastic) - so think 2L ice cream container plastic.
We have a large steel mold custom built to the shape of our product - which is kept and used at our manufacturing partner’s site. It weighs 3.5 tonne!
Our steel pegs are also made in NZ so we are not reliant on any overseas partners.
(Photo of Hugh with our custom mold!)