Improvements in or relating to tree guards

Abstract

A tree guard for protecting a young tree from damage caused by animals comprises a composition which includes a fungal biome and optionally one or more further soil benefit agents, for example a bacterial biome and / or one or more minerals. One or both surfaces of a tree guard may be coated with the composition, or the composition may be included in the material which forms the tree guard. In use, the fungal biome, and the further soil benefit agents when present, passes from the tree guard into the soil around a tree being protected, exactly where needed to support the growth of the young tree.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO TREE GUARDS

[0001] The present invention relates to tree guards, sometimes called tree shelters or tree protectors. These are generally, i.e. substantially, tubular products used to protect young trees from damage caused by animals. They are a familiar sight in areas in which trees have been planted, for example in woodlands and parks and on roadway verges.

[0002] There are different types of tree guards with differing positive and negative qualities. An article by Dr Neil Carpenter brings information about tree guards together in a useful way, and is found at: https: / / assets.publishing.service.gov.uk / media / 62cc61988fa8f54e855dfe7a / Phase_ l_report_-_NMC2_Limited_-_Development_of_a_biodegradable bio- based_tree_shelter_that_improves_planting_efficiency.pdf

[0003] When young trees are left unprotected a substantial proportion are destroyed by animals. It is estimated in the article by Dr Carpenter that that 30%-70% of unprotected tree seedlings in the UK are destroyed by deer and squirrels, at an estimated cost of £1.8 billion a year.

[0004] Tree guards may be of non-biodegradable materials. Non-biodegradable materials may include some plastics, for example polyvinyl chloride, and metal. It will be appreciated that some such materials may in fact degrade in fact over a very long time period but for practical purposes are regarded as non-biodegradable. Alternatively, tree guards may be of biodegradable materials, for example cellulosic or biodegradable plastics materials.

[0005] Tree guards come in different designs. One design employs a band of material which is spirally wound to form a generally tubular structure. Another is in the form of pre-formed tube which is placed over a young tree. Another is in the form of a jacket which is placed around the young tree and is secured edge-to-edge to form a generally tubular structure. The jacket may be formed from a curved sheet or from a flat sheet which has fold lines to facilitate it being folded into a generally tubular, cylindrical or box-shaped structure. The wall of a tree guard may be of generally rigid sheet material, optionally with perforations which allow more light in but which do not compromise the protective function of the tree guard. The wall of a tree guard may alternatively be of mesh structure.

[0006] Apart from the fact that some tree guards may decompose and may thereby release some nutrient materials into the soil (albeit in an unplanned or incidental manner), they are passive items which offer young trees protection from animal attack, and do not offer further benefit. It wouldbe desirable to provide additional benefit to young trees. Our work in developing improvements in growing media has focused on the role of fungi. We have sought to develop ways of reliably delivering fungi in a controlled manner to environments in which plants, including young trees, are grown. Such environments include agriculture, horticulture, forestry and woodland environments.

[0007] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a tree guard for protecting a young tree from damage caused by animals, the tree guard comprising a composition which includes a fungal biome.

[0008] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of producing a tree guard, which method includes the application of a composition which comprises a fungal biome, and optionally one or more further soil benefit agents, to the tree guard or to a precursor of the tree guard (including to a sheet material which will be used in the manufacture of the tree guard).

[0009] In these aspects and in other aspects of the invention the tree guard is subject to the deliberate or predetermined addition of said composition. Given the fungal spores present in air, the tree guard may in addition be subjected to incidental or vicarious fungi, but in should be noted that the invention requires the deliberate or predetermined addition of a fungal composition.

[0010] The following definitions apply to both the first and second aspects of the present invention unless otherwise stated.

[0011] A precursor of a tree guard may be a blank or sheet from which the tree guard may be formed.

[0012] Preferably the complete tree guard is biodegradable.

[0013] The composition contains a fungal biome. It may in addition comprise one or more further soil benefit agents to support healthy plant function. One further soil benefit agent may be a bacterial biome. Another soil benefit agent may be a mineral. Plants require certain minerals for growth and development. Required minerals include macronutrients, for example nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as micronutrients, for example iron, boron, and zinc. Such materials, including nutrients, are all called minerals in this specification. A mineral may be an element or a compound, and may include a salt of one of the following: boron (B), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), aluminium (Al), selenium (Se), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sulphur (S); as well as nitrate ions, ammonium ions and sugars. The composition suitably comprises, in addition to the fungal biome, a bacterial biome and / or at least one mineral.The composition suitably comprises, in addition to the fungal biome, a bacterial biome and / or a plurality of minerals.

[0014] Tree guards of the invention must contain a fungal biome but beyond that requirement, they can be tailored to the particular growing needs of the environment, which may for example be an agricultural, horticultural, forest or woodland management site, in which newly planted trees are required. For example, the addition to the composition of a nitrogen-based fertilizer, a phosphorus-based fertilizer or a potassium-based fertilizer, or any combination thereof, for example a combined NPK fertilizer, is contemplated as an option in the present invention. In another example, Tree guards for use with acid-loving saplings may if necessary have addition of pH adjusting components, for example, sulphur.

[0015] Thus the addition of a nitrogen-based fertiliser, a phosphorus-based fertiliser or a potassium-based fertiliser, or any combination thereof, for example an NPK fertiliser, is not excluded in the present invention. Such fertilisers are commonly the products of chemical synthesis and may typically comprise compounds such as ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, ammonium phosphate and potassium nitrate. Chemically synthesised fertilisers have a very large carbon footprint, partly because of the manufacture of the fundamental precursor compound ammonia by the Haber-Bosch process. Several other problems arise from the use of chemically synthesised fertiliser. Excess nitrogen in the soil can deplete soil of its richness and microbial biodiversity, cause soil acidification, damage plant growth, contribute to the leaching of nutrients into waterways and release nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. Excess phosphorus and potassium also cause environmental detriment. The chemical compounds in chemically synthesised fertilisers are highly soluble in water and when applied at a location they are substantially immediately present in the soil. Unless careful assays have been taken of the soil chemistry prior to application and unless careful application to the soil is carried out the result can be uncontrolled excessive use of chemically synthesised fertilisers, with detrimental consequences.

[0016] In many preferred embodiments of the invention no product or method of any aspect of the present invention includes the addition of a nitrogen-based fertiliser, a phosphorus-based fertiliser or a potassium-based fertiliser, or any combination thereof, for example an NPK fertiliser. In those cases when additional nutrition is needed, the addition of chemically synthesised fertiliser is not excluded but it is preferred to add a biologically-derived fertiliser. A biologically-derived fertiliser will not have many of the problems associated with immediately-soluble chemically synthesised fertilisers. Examples of suitable biologically-derived fertilisers include seaweed, hoof and horn, dried blood, fish blood & bone, bone meal, poultry manure pellets and liquid comfrey orliquid nettle feeds. Such materials may be useful as components of pellets of the invention, to bring the content of N, P or K to a required level, if needed at all.

[0017] A composition used in the present invention to provide a coating on a tree guard may, in embodiments, be mixed with another substrate, e.g. biomass, soil or other compost, to function as a soil benefit agent, and obtain desired or tailored properties.

[0018] Said other substrate may comprise or consist of biomass, for example plant-derived biomass or animal-derived biomass.

[0019] Plant-derived biomass may comprise residues of trees, including wood, bark, husks, fibre, coir and leaves; cereal waste products, for example straw and husks; seaweed; and other crop residues, for example from sugar cane, molasses, oilseed rape and sugar beet, or plants of the family Gramineae, including mown grass, and hay.

[0020] Animal-derived biomass may include animal-derived digestive biomass, and animal- derived tissue biomass.

[0021] Animal-derived digestive biomass may comprise manure e.g. from horses, pigs, cattle, goats and chickens.

[0022] Animal derived tissue biomass may be derived from animal bodies or parts, including blood and bones, and may come for example from horses, pigs, cattle, goats and chickens; and from fish. Commercial sources of such biomass are well known under names such as blood and bone, fish blood and bone, and bonemeal.

[0023] Additional biomass sources suitable for use in the invention include derivatised biomass, for example peat, biochar and digestate (a product of anaerobic digestion which may typically employ as feedstock materials livestock manures, crop material or other non-farm organic materials such as food waste).

[0024] In the first or second aspects of the present invention composition is in the form of a coating on a surface of the tree guard. The coating includes a fungal biome, and optionally said one or more further soil benefit agents. Suitably the composition used in the second aspect of the invention is a liquid composition, which can dry on the tree guard. The liquid composition may be free of particulates or may contain particulates. In some embodiments the composition may be a solid composition even when applied to the tree guard. For example it may be a particulate material which can adhere to the tree guard.

[0025] In embodiments of the invention the composition may be additised by a binder, which may promote stability of the dried coating. Suitably a binder, when used, is a material which is acceptedas a neutral or as a beneficial addition to soil. Examples may include pulverised rocks (for example clay, gypsum, limestone, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, sandstone, shale, silica, quartz, silicates, basalt, pumice, marble, perlite, vermiculite and slate), animal glue, pulverized bone, cereal flour and starch. Some of these binders may function also as soil improvers and as fertilizers, i.e. as soil benefit agents.

[0026] It is efficient, in terms of the manufacture of the tree guards, if the fungal biome and any further soil benefit agents are included in a single coating composition. However the separate application of one or more compositions (in addition to the composition containing the fungal biome) containing one or more of said additional soil benefit agents is not excluded, and can offer advantage. It may enable the release of different materials at different times. Further, the separate application of portions of the overall fungal biome is not excluded. For example, it may be advantageous for some of the fungal biome to be released soon after the tree guard is located in its environment around a young tree (e.g. as soon as the tree guard it is subjected to prolonged or heavy rain) and for rest of the fungal biome to be released slowly (for example over a period of months). Alternatively or additionally it may be of benefit for certain soil benefit agents, for example minerals, to be released soon after the tree guard is located in its environment around a young tree (e.g. as soon as it is subjected to prolonged or heavy rain) and for some, or all, of the fungal biome to be released slowly (for example over a period of months).

[0027] The application can be the whole surface of the tree guard or to part of it.

[0028] The coating may be carried on some or all of the outside surface of the tree guard. Suitably the coating may be carried on substantially all of the outside surface of the tree guard.

[0029] The coating may be carried on some or all of the inside surface of the tree guard. Suitably the coating may be carried on substantially all of the inside surface of the tree guard.

[0030] Preferably the coating is carried on some or all of the outside surface of the tree guard and on some or all of the inside surface of the tree guard. Suitably the coating may be carried on substantially all of the inside surface of the tree guard and on substantially all of the outside surface of the tree guard.

[0031] When both the inside surface and the outside surface of the tree guard receive the composition the benefit arises, that the rate at removal of the fungal biome, and of the one or more further soil benefit agents if present, may be different even when applied in the same composition to the tree guard or to its precursor material, because the outside surface is directly subjected to the prevailing weather whereas the inside surface is more shielded from it.

[0032] In embodiments of the invention the fungal biome and said one or more soil benefit agents may be applied to different sections of the tree guard or its precursor material; for example different sections of the outer surface, or different sections of the inner surface. This may be of benefit when different components, from the fungal biome and from the soil benefit agents, are to be released and different times, as described above.

[0033] As an alternative to providing a coating, or as an additional measure, the composition which includes the fungal biome, and the one or more further soil benefit agents if employed, may be entrained within the material which forms the tree guard, such that the fungal biome can leach from the intact tree guard and / or be released from the tree guard as the tree guard decomposes.

[0034] A tree guard of the invention may be biodegradable, and the composition may be biodegradable, wherein the composition in use degrades before the tree guard degrades, such that the fungal biome, and the one or more further soil benefit agents when present, are released into the ground while the tree guard is still substantially intact.

[0035] The invention offers an important benefit, that the fungal biome, and the one or more further soil benefit agents if present, is delivered into the soil in the exact position to give growth benefits to a tree inside the tree guard. The delivery of the fungal biome, and of the one or more further soil benefit agents if present, to the soil may commence soon after the tree guard is fitted around the tree; for example when the tree guard of first wetted by rainfall; or the delivery may start after a considerable period, for example after a long period in which the tree guard was subjected to the ambient weather.

[0036] The composition, comprising the fungal biome, and the one or more further soil benefit agents if employed, may be designed to be released into the soil around the young tree over a short period, from example less than 6 months, or it over a long period, from example from 6 months up to 5 years.

[0037] In preferred embodiments the delivery of the fungal biome, and of the one or more further soil benefit agents if present, is provided as a slow-release coating which ensures that delivery takes place over a long period.

[0038] As noted above, however, the delivery of the fungal biome could be partitioned so that a proportion thereof is rapidly released and a proportion is released more slowly.

[0039] As noted above however the tree guards can be designed to give rapid release of one or more of said soil benefit agents, for example minerals, and slower release of some or all of the fungal biome.

[0040] Tree guards which give rapid release of the fungal biome and / or of one or more of said soil benefit agents are also contemplated as part of this invention.

[0041] A further example of the invention is a tree guard which gives rapid release of the fungal biome and slow release of one or more of said soil benefit agents.

[0042] A tree guard of the invention may thus have distinct modes of releasing components of value to the soil. For example the fungal biome, organic soil benefit agents and inorganic soil benefit agents may be released substantially at the same time or substantially in two phases or substantially in three phases. The tree guard may have three simple, distinct delivery zones: the outer surface, the inner surface and the body of the tree guard, which may be designed to be biodegradable.

[0043] It will be apparent that tree guards of the invention can be tailored, to provide beneficial fungi and optionally other soil benefits agents appropriate to the plant needs and the ambient conditions (e.g. temperature, rainfall, soil type, soil condition).

[0044] The tree guard may comprise a biodegradable plastics material. Biodegradable plastics materials may comprise, for example, polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate or a combination thereof.

[0045] The tree guard may comprise a biodegradable fibrous material, for example a material comprising cellulosic fibres and / or animal fibres. Examples of the former are cardboard and fibreboard derived from wood. An example of the latter is wool formulated with biodegradable polymers. Mixtures of these materials may also be used to make sheet materials for tree guard construction. Conventional cardboard tree guards generally already have a weather-resistant coating to resist premature decomposition. This coating may be over-coated by a protective composition to obtain a coating composition of the present invention or in certain embodiments the conventional composition which is used to achieve the weather-resistant coating may be reformulated to include the fungal biome required in the present invention, and the one or more further soil benefit agents when present.

[0046] The outward face of the tree guard and the inward face may both be coated. The coating composition on the outward face may be the same as the coating on the inward face, or it may be different. In preferred embodiments the same coating is applied to the outward and inward faces and this in itself can produce a difference in the release profile of actives, given that the inward face is more protected from the weather, and so the actives which it carries will take longer to be released.

[0047] A precursor composition used to obtain the fungal biome-containing composition in or on the tree guard may be a liquid adhesive composition which contains the fungal biome and the one or more further soil benefit agents, if employed.

[0048] There is a vast array of adhesives with different breakdown properties and the selection of an adhesive to release the active agents over a desired period. The desired period may be different from tree species to tree species and its selection is within the knowledge and skill-set of the person skilled in the art.

[0049] Preferred adhesives for use in the present invention are natural materials. They may include, for example, flour glue (also called starch glue), dextrin glue, hide glue, gelatin glue, gum arabic glue, flaxseed glue and spirit gum.

[0050] The fungal biome may be derived from a fungi-containing source by adding water to the fungi-rich source, optionally agitating the watered fungi-rich source, and straining the watered fungi-containing source same to produce a fungi-containing liquid composition. The process may include a step of blending and / or pulverising. The straining may produce a filtrate which is substantially free of particulates. In other embodiments the straining may permit some particulates to be present in the filtrate.

[0051] In some embodiments the filtrate is substantially free of visible particulates.

[0052] In some embodiments the filtrate contains visible particulates, which are retained in the coating of the tree guard and / or in the composition of the tree guard. When such a filtrate is employed in a coating, the tree guard may have a flock or mat of fibrous material.

[0053] The fungi-containing source may also contain a bacteria-containing source, in which case a fungi- and bacteria-containing liquid composition is produced. Alternately a separate bacteria- containing composition may be produced and mixed with a fungi-containing liquid precursor composition.

[0054] Minerals may be present naturally in the liquid composition and / or may be added as required to a liquid composition.

[0055] To the resulting fungi-containing composition, optionally additionally containing bacteria and minerals, may be added an adhesive in order to produce a composition of increased viscosity and / or adherence, suitable for application to a tree guard or to a precursor of the tree guard.

[0056] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a fungi- containing liquid composition, optionally containing bacteria and minerals, containing an adhesive in order to produce a composition of increased viscosity and adherence, suitable for application toa tree guard or to a precursor of the tree guard (including to a material which will be used in the manufacture of the tree guard).

[0057] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of making a fungi-containing liquid composition as defined above, the method comprising steps of: adding water to one or more of (i) a compost, (ii) a natural soil and (iii) a tree bark component, optionally, blending and / or pulverising the watered material, straining the watered material to produce a filtrate, adding an adhesive to increase the viscosity and / or adherence of the filtrate, and using the resulting material in the manufacture of a tree guard.

[0058] We will now describe how a fungal biome required in the present invention may be produced.

[0059] A fungal biome may include fungi from the phyla Ascomycota, Basidomycota and Mucoromycota. The Ascotymotae may include A.Pezizomycetes, A.Sordariomycetes, A.Leotiomycetes, A.Dothideomycetes, A.Eurotiomycetes and A.Orbiliomycetes. The Basidomycota may include B.Agaricomycetes and B.Tremellomycetes. The Mucoromycota may include M.Mortierellomycetes. Fungi which can form mycorrhizal associations with plants are of interest as fungal components. Composition used in the present invention can undergo DNA testing to determine number of fungal species ('Richness') and diversity (Shannon value based on a-diversity distribution). Composition used in the present invention have been shown to have Richness values of at least 120, for example at least 140, or at least 160. Some samples have exhibited Richness values in excess of 190. Such samples have shown Shannon values of at least 4.8, for example at least 5.2. A Shannon value of over 5.8 has been achieved.

[0060] An example of soil-living fungi of significance in arboreal environments is the class Deuteromycota, including mycorrhizal fungi.

[0061] In aspects of the invention a fungal biome used in the present invention may have one, any two or all three of the following characteristics (A), (B) and (C):(A) it contains all of the following fungal classes: Ascomycota Pezizomycetes, AscomycotaSordariomycetes, Ascomycota Leotiomycetes, Ascomycota Dothideomycetes,Ascomycota Eurotiomycetes, Ascomycota Orbiliomycetes, BasidomycotaAgaricomycetes, Basidomycota Tremellomycetes, Mucoromycota Mortierellomycetes;(B) it has a Richness value of at least 120;(C) it has a Shannon value (a-diversity) of at least 4.8.

[0062] As noted above the fungal biome can be assessed by DNA studies, and also by microscopy. Typically, in the microscopic method a sample is removed from a compost or soil and is mixed with filtered water, and the biomass of each group of fungal organisms is assessed. Fungi counts used dilution in water of 5 to 10 to 1 total volume. General morphology can be used as a differentiator of the elements of soil food web present. This method was used to generate results set out in the examples. DNA methods identified species by their known genetic information. Specialist institutes such as FERA in York, UK are available to carry out such testing, and were contracted to do the DNA testing described in examples in this specification.

[0063] It will be appreciated that the present invention can employ natural biological processes. Variations in fungal content in compositions cannot be avoided, even when they apparently have undergone the same regime. In reality, no composition will have exactly the same fungal biome as another - there will have been unavoidable variations in ambient conditions during fungal development, for example in composting materials, sun, temperature, wind, rain, shade, composting conditions, worm activity and proximity of fungal sources.

[0064] Fungi-containing compositions used in the invention can be tailored to the particular environments in which trees are grown. Growing needs of trees may be very different in, for example, parks, roadways, woodlands and natural and commercial forests. For example, the addition of a nitrogen-based fertilizer, a phosphorus-based fertilizer or a potassium-based fertilizer, or any combination thereof, for example a combined NPK fertilizer, in differing amounts depending on environment, is contemplated as an option in the present invention.

[0065] A fungi-containing source for a composition of the present invention may include any one or more of (i) a compost, (ii) a natural soil and (iii) a tree bark component.

[0066] Fungi are microorganisms, and in this specification we use the term to include all fungi irrespective of size, and not just those which are too small to be seen by the naked eye.

[0067] It is an object of embodiments of the invention to provide tree guards which release materials, including fungi, which are compatible with soil to which they will be applied; for example whether it be in an agricultural, horticultural, arboreal, parkland or landscaping environment.

[0068] The source of fungi in the present invention may be fungal microorganisms whose habitat is soil or an arboreal environment, for example woodland or forest. An example of soil-living fungi of significance in arboreal environments is the class Deuteromycota, including mycorrhizal fungi.

[0069] A compost (i) may be formed using a compostable mixture which comprises:(a) a first composting material;(b) optionally, a second composting material; and one or both of the following components (c) and (d);(c) a source of microorganisms added in a predetermined amount, for example having regard to the amount and type of composting material(s);(d) a microorganism support added in a predetermined amount, for example having regard to the amount and type of composting material(s).

[0070] The compostable mixture is suitably retained for a maturation period.

[0071] A composting process takes place in which the compostable mixture transforms into a compost that can be used in the present invention.

[0072] The first composting material is a material which is often called a green composting material and / or a high nitrogen composting material, in this art.

[0073] A green composting material may be manure with light bedding (such as from poultry, horse, sheep, and / or cow). In some embodiments, the green composting material may be coffee grounds. In some embodiments, the green composting material may be hay. In some embodiments, the green composting material may be silage. In some embodiments, the green composting material may be clover and / or other legume residues. In some embodiments, the green composting material may be food waste (such as vegetable scraps / peelings and / or fruit pulps). In some embodiments, the green composting material may be horticultural industry residues (such as root crop tops, fresh leaf prunings, and / or non-consumable produce). In some embodiments, the green composting material may be fresh grass clippings. In some embodiments, the green composting material may be seaweed. In some embodiments, the green composting material may be wood ash. In some embodiments, the green composting material may be wheat bran. In some embodiments, the green composting material may be milling industry residue (such as grain dust). In some embodiments, the green composting material may be distillery waste (such as grape marc). In embodiments of the invention the first composting material may comprise spoiled silage. Spoiled silage is silage which has become unfit for bovine nutrition, usually due to oxidative processes. A green composting material may have a carbon to nitrogen molar ratio of at least 15:1. In some embodiments, the green composting material may have a carbon to nitrogen molar ratio of at least 18:1. The green composting material may have a carbon to nitrogen molar ratio of up to 29:1. In some embodiments, the green composting material may have a carbon to nitrogen molar ratio of up to 23:1.

[0074] High nitrogen composting material may have a lower carbon to nitrogen molar ratio compared to the green composting material. A high nitrogen composting material may have acarbon to nitrogen molar ratio of at least 3:1. In some embodiments, a high nitrogen composting material may have a carbon to nitrogen molar ratio of at least 6:1. In some embodiments, a high nitrogen composting material may have a carbon to nitrogen molar ratio of up to 15:1. In some embodiments, the high nitrogen composting material may have a carbon to nitrogen molar ratio of up to 12:1. A high nitrogen composting material may be brewery waste (such as spent grain). In some embodiments, the high nitrogen composting material may be distillery waste (such as grape marc). In some embodiments, the high nitrogen composting material may be a residue from fish and / or shellfish (such as mussels, shrimps); or slaughter waste (such as blood, carcasses, and / or hair / fur). In some embodiments, the high nitrogen composting material may be a dairy by-product (such as cheese whey). In some embodiments, the high nitrogen composting material may be manure (separated from bedding). In some embodiments, the high nitrogen composting material may be wool (such as from sheep shearing). In some embodiments, the high nitrogen composting material may be green sprout (such as grass in early springtime). In some embodiments, the high nitrogen composting material may be cover crop fresh cuts (such as alfalfa, hairy vetch, amaranth and / or purslane). In some embodiments, the high nitrogen composting material may be activated sludge.

[0075] When the first composting material is composed of a mixture of materials, the carbon to nitrogen molar ratio of the mixture is the calculated mean value.

[0076] The second composting material is suitably a material which is often called a brown composting material, in this art. Suitably, the second composting material is a high-carbon material, with a higher carbon to nitrogen molar ratio than the first composting material.

[0077] The second composting material may comprise wood industry residue (e.g. saw dust). In some embodiments, the second composting material may comprise arable land by-product such as straw (e.g. wheat, oat, rye straw), corn cobs, and / or stalks. In some embodiments, the second composting material may comprise forestry / arboriculture by-product such as wood chips, bark (e.g. from soft-and / or hard-wood trees), and / or fern cuttings. In some embodiments, the second composting material may comprise garden waste such as leaves, twigs, and pine needles. In some embodiments, the second composting material may comprise animal bedding. In some embodiments, the second composting material may comprise paper waste such as cardboard, shredded paper / newspaper and / or paper pulp. In some embodiments, the second composting material may comprise nut shells. In some embodiments, the second composting material may comprise cotton. In some embodiments, the second composting material may comprise mushroom substrate. In embodiments of the invention the second composting material may comprise fresh wood chips and / or partially composted wood chips.

[0078] The second composting material may have a carbon to nitrogen molar ratio of at least 30:1 In some embodiments, the second composting material may have a carbon to nitrogen molar ratio of at least 80:1. In some embodiments, the second composting material may have a carbon to nitrogen molar ratio of at least 130:1. In some embodiments, the second composting material may have a carbon to nitrogen molar ratio of at least 180:1. The second composting material may have a carbon to nitrogen molar ratio of up to 400:1. In some embodiments, the second composting material may have a carbon to nitrogen molar ratio of up to 350:1. In some embodiments, the second composting material may have a carbon to nitrogen molar ratio of up to 300:1. In some embodiments, the second composting material may have a carbon to nitrogen molar ratio of up to 250:1. When the second composting material is composed of a mixture of materials, the C and N ratio of the mixture is the calculated mean value.

[0079] The compostable mixture may contain both a first composting material and a second composting material. In such embodiments of the invention there may suitably be 1 part of the first composting material to 0.5 to 15 parts of the second composting material, suitably 1 part of the first composting material to 1 to 8 parts of the second composting material, suitably 1 part of the first composting material to 1 to 6 parts of the second composting material, weight / weight.

[0080] A microorganism support can be of a class which can be digested by a desired microorganism (which I will call microorganism support type (dl)) or of a class which can provide physical support for microorganisms in the compostable mixture (which I will call microorganism support type (d2)). Each such type of microorganism support promotes replication of the microbiome. In embodiments of the invention both types of microorganism support (that is, the digestible type (dl) and the physical support type (d2)), are present and they may work beneficially together in promoting the microbiome.

[0081] A microorganism support of type (dl) which may be digested by a desired microorganism, may include, for example, one or more of the following organic materials: fish protein, including shellfish protein; dried sea algae, including brown seaweed, or kelp; and pressed cakes of plant matter, which may be left after oil or juice extraction; for example the residues from the pressing of hemp, olives, peanuts, coconut, soybeans, flax seed (linseed), cottonseed and sunflower seeds. A microorganism support (dl) may be an omega oil source; and / or a protein source.

[0082] A microorganism support (dl) may suitably be present in embodiments of the invention in a ratio from 2 kg per 1000 litres of total compostable material. In some embodiments a microorganism support (dl) may be present in a ratio from 3 kg per 1000 litres of total compostablematerial. In some embodiments a microorganism support (dl) may be present in a ratio from 4 kg per 1000 litres of total compostable material.

[0083] A microorganism support (dl) may suitably be present in embodiments of the invention in a ratio of up to 12 kg per 1000 litres of total compostable material. In some embodiments a microorganism support (dl) may be present in a ratio of up to 10 kg per 1000 litres of total compostable material. In some embodiments a microorganism support (dl) may be present in a ratio of up to 8 kg per 1000 litres of total compostable material.

[0084] A microorganism support of type (d2) which may provide physical support in the compostable mixture may be a particulate inorganic material, and may include naturally occurring rock materials in finely divided form; for example in pulverized form. Examples of rocks that can produce suitable particulates include one or more of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Examples of suitable sedimentary rock sources include magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate (which may be as chalk or limestone), sandstone, clay, shale and gypsum. Examples of suitable igneous rock sources include silica, quartz, silicates, basalt and pumice. Examples of suitable metamorphic rock sources include marble and slate.

[0085] A microorganism support (d2) may suitably be present in embodiments of the invention in a ratio from 2 kg per 1000 litres of total compostable material. In some embodiments a microorganism support (d2) may be present in a ratio from 4 kg per 1000 litres of total compostable material. In some embodiments a microorganism support (d2) may be present in a ratio from 5 kg per 1000 litres of total compostable material.

[0086] A microorganism support (d2) may suitably be present in embodiments of the invention in a ratio of up to 15 kg per 1000 litres of total compostable material. In some embodiments a microorganism support (d2) may be present in a ratio of up to 12 kg per 1000 litres of total compostable material. In some embodiments a microorganism support (d2) may be present in a ratio of up to 10 kg per 1000 litres of total compostable material.

[0087] Both types of microorganism support (dl) and (d2) are suitably present, each in the amounts separately defined above. The ratio (weight / weight) is suitably in the range 1 part (dl) to 0.2 - 5 parts (d2); suitably 1 part (dl) to 0.5 - 2 parts (d2); suitably 1 part (dl) to 1 - 3 parts (d2); and preferably 1 part (dl) to 1.1 - 2 parts (d2).

[0088] There may be morethan one microorganism support of type (dl) and in such embodiments the amounts and ratios given above denote the total amount of such components.

[0089] There may be more than one microorganism support of type (d2) and in such embodiments the amounts and ratios given above denote the total amount of such components.

[0090] The components - namely the first composting material; the second composting material when present; and 'micro-ingredients' - namely one, two or three of the further components, namely the source of microorganisms, microorganism support of type (dl) and microorganism support of type (d2) - are introduced into the container in layers. However, mixing them before they are introduced into the container is not excluded.

[0091] The compostable mixture may be loaded into a container which has openings in its side walls to promote aeration of the compostable mixture. In some embodiments of the invention the container may be a bulk bag of flexible material, having side walls with perforations. In some embodiments the container may be a rigid framework intended to receive an industrial storage container, for example of the type known as an IBC. The rigid framework may be wrapped in an air- and water-permeable jacket, for example of netting or mesh.

[0092] Suitably a container into which the compostable mixture is loaded has a volume in the range from 400 litres to 3000 litres. In embodiments of the invention the container volume is in the range from 600 litres to 1800 litres. In embodiments of the invention the container volume is in the range from 700 litres to 1300 litres.

[0093] The compostable mixture may be loaded into a container which has openings in its bottom wall, or has no bottom wall at all, the container being located out of doors during the maturation period, and subject to the ambient weather conditions, and preferably in an arboreal environment. In such a situation the compostable mixture may be in direct contact with the arboreal soil to facilitate colonisation by fungal species in the arboreal soil.

[0094] The compostable mixture may be formed into a freestanding mass or pile. The pile may be elongate, in the form of windrow. In some embodiments of the invention the pile may be left open to the elements. In other embodiments the pile may be covered with a flexible perforated material.

[0095] Standard horticultural advice is to turn compost to increase aeration. In the method of the present invention the compostable mixture can be turned during the maturation period. However, in Aspect 2 (iii), the compostable mixture is preferably not turned, so that the developing microbiome is not disturbed. Nevertheless the composting process is preferably aerobic.

[0096] Different methods are available for making a compost which can be used to make a fungi- rich composition useful in the present invention. They include hot composting, vermicomposting and the Johnson-Su composting in which a high level of aeration is achieved, without turning thematerial. The Johnson-Su method uses a container which is permeable to air and water transmission. Large channels are formed in the mixture to be composted, for example by drilling into the material or by having tubes in place as the container is filled, and then withdrawing them when the container is full, straight away after the channels have been formed or after an interval, for example of a few weeks. The Johnson-Su method is aerobic but without intermediate stages of turning the composition. In some embodiments of the invention a combination of techniques can be employed, for example Johnson-Su and vermicomposting. Composting worms can be added to the Johnson-Su composting mixture.

[0097] The compostable mixture is suitably retained for a maturation period. The maturation period starts as soon as the components are mixed to form the compostable mixture. In some embodiments the maturation period may be at least 6 months. In some embodiments of the invention the maturation period may be at least 8 months. In some embodiments the maturation period may be at least 10 months. In some embodiments the maturation period may be up to 24 months. In some embodiments the maturation period may be up to 18 months. In some embodiments the maturation period may be up to 14 months. At the end of the maturation period it has been found that the compostable mixture has matured into a compost which may have a very rich microbiome, comprising high levels of fungi.

[0098] The composting may include a step of assessing a compost, for example using a chemical assay, which may lead to determination of tree benefit potential, or in some cases to determine if the compost needs modification.

[0099] A modified composition may be made by blending a compost as described above with a soil or other compost, to obtain tailored properties.

[0100] In embodiments the compost from Aspect 2 (iii), and said other compost and / or a soil component, and optionally trace minerals - may be mixed together to make a composition for use in the present invention. The composition may be kept for a dwell time, to promote fungal biome development. A suitable dwell time may be at least 2 weeks, for example at least 4 weeks, for example at least 6 weeks. A dwell time, in which the soil or other compost component is exposed to the fungally 'live' compost resulting from Aspect 2 (iii) can have a rapid fungal growth-promoting effect.

[0101] A natural soil (ii) may be, for example, a woodland and forest soil. I have found that woodland and forest soils are often very rich in fungi, quantitatively and qualitatively. Such soils may be suitable in the production of fungi-rich compositions which can be used in the present invention.

[0102] A tree bark component (iii) used herein may comprise or consist of tree bark chippings; suitably fine bark chippings. A tree bark component may comprise or consist of tree bark fines. These may be uncomposted or composted.

[0103] Preferably, a tree bark component comprises or consists of composted tree bark fines.

[0104] A tree bark component, for example composted bark fines, may be mixed with soil from an arboreal environment and the resulting mixture may be retained for a maturation period, or by keeping the composted bark fines in an arboreal environment for a maturation period, to develop the fungal biome.

[0105] Peat or coir may be present in a tree guard composition used to coat tree guards, but the composition is preferably peat-free and coir-free.

[0106] Microorganisms (microbes), including bacteria and fungi, in the soil around a tree help build the structure of the growing medium by creating micro- and macro-aggregates, which promote water retention. Furthermore, the by-products of the microbial activities, e.g. humic acid, also increase the moisture holding capacity. Water usage may thus be reduced by use of growing media of the present invention.

[0107] The invention will be described, by way of illustration only, with reference to the following examples.EXAMPLES 1 to 3

[0108] Three precursor composts were prepared, using different compostable materials in differing amounts as described in Table 1. The compostable materials stated for each example were used to fill metal frames for IBC tanks, lm3in volume (lm x lm x lm). The IBC frames had widely separated metal support bars. The frames had been lined before filling with flexible plastic mesh sheets permitting air- and water-flow.TABLE 1

[0109] The fresh wood chip was beech waste which was approximately 6 weeks old. This was sourced from a tree surgeon using a standard chipper. Chip particles were approximately 2cm long. Fresh wood chip is a 'brown' compostable material which typically has a high carbon / nitrogen weight ratio in the range from 30:1 to 400:1.

[0110] Mature composted chip was a pre-composted wood chip with a maturation time of about 18 months. It was tree surgeon waste woodchip from a mixture of trees which was composted in a 3m x 3m x lm (9m3) open-top pile. Mature composted chip is a 'brown' material and typically has a high carbon / nitrogen weight ratio in the range from 30:1 to 400:1.

[0111] Spoiled silage was sourced from a local farm contractor. Spoiled silage is a 'green' compostable material which typically has a moderate carbon / nitrogen weight ratio in the range from 15:1 to 25:1.

[0112] Fresh coppiced willow chip was sourced from recently cut (coppiced) trees. The advantages of using fresh coppiced willow chip include that it provides young wood which will decompose quickly to reduce particle size within the finished product. Fresh coppiced willow chip is a 'brown' compostable material which typically has a high carbon / nitrogen weight ratio in the range from 30:1 to 400:1.

[0113] Leaves were gathered on-site from the woodland floor on Hardwick Estate woodland, Oxfordshire, UK (diverse mixed woodland). Leaves are a 'green' compostable material which typically has a moderate carbon / nitrogen weight ratio in the range from 15:1 to 25:1.

[0114] Hops and malt brewers waste were sourced from Loddon Brewery, Reading, UK. Hops and malt brewers waste are a 'high nitrogen' compostable material having a low carbon / nitrogen weight ratio in the range from 3:1 to 15:1.

[0115] Fresh horse manure (with bedding) was obtained from Hardwick Estate stud farm from horses which were grazed on organic land. Manure bedding is wood shavings and straw. The fresh horse manure contains about 50 % manure and 50 % bedding (weight / weight). Fresh horse manure (with bedding) is a 'green' compostable material which typically has a moderate carbon / nitrogen weight ratio in the range from 15:1 to 25:1.

[0116] A mixture of the first and second compostable materials for each composition was used to fill the frame in layers. Between layers, the microorganism support (micro-ingredient composition) with the components listed in Table 2 was applied such that 12 kg of the microorganism support was used for frame.TABLE 2

[0117] Each filled IBC frame was matured for a year as a Johnson-Su bioreactor (JSB). The frame contains a plurality of layers of compostable material and of microorganism support. The compostable material comprises a mixture of the first and second compostable materials. The microorganism support comprises the inorganic and organic components set out in Table 2. A plurality of columnar voids are formed in the compostable material in each IBC frame, to improve aeration. The columnar voids are formed by drilling into the compostable material in the full IBC frame or by placing a plurality of suitable columns in the IBC frame prior to the addition of the compostable material and microorganism support then removing the columns after the IBC frame has been filled, to leave the voids. Thus, a grid of air-holes was formed in the contents of the filled IBC frames.

[0118] A 10ml sample was removed from each IBC frame at the end of a maturation period of 12 months and was mixed with filtered water, and the ratio was included in calculating biomass of each group of microorganisms. Fungi counts used dilution of 5 to 10 to 1 total volume. Bacterial counts were done at 100 to 500 to 1 dilution. One drop of the dilution was transferred onto a slide and observed under a bright field microscope. General morphology is used as a differentiator of the elements of soil food web present.

[0119] The results obtained are detailed in Table 3 below.TABLE 3

[0120] There is natural variation in the concentrations of fungi due to uncontrollable ambient biological factors. Nevertheless these it should be noted that each of examples of composts have high concentrations of fungi. The presence of fungi is of benefit in most growing environments. Each of the composts is useful as a growing medium in the present invention or as a component of such a growing medium.

[0121] Examples 1 to 3 can be seen as 'live' composts which may be mixed with water and strained to a negligible solids content, to produce fungi-rich aqueous compositions. The compositions may then be mixed with starch to produce a thickened adhesive fungal compositions. The compositions may then be sprayed onto both sides of a sheet material and allowed to form a dry composition. Tree guard blanks may then be cut from the sheet material, ready for packaging. When the user comes to use them they are affixed around tree saplings in conventional manner.

[0122] When such a tree guard is in use around a tree sapling the dry composition is released from the outer face more quickly than from the inner face under normal ambient weather conditions, due to the inner surface being more exposed to the weather. Under normal UK weather conditions the outside surface is expected to release its fungal biome in 3 to 6 months and the inside face, in 12-18 months.EXAMPLES 4 to 6

[0123] Three further compositions were obtained by mixing approximately 20% by volume of each of the growing media of Examples 1 to 3 with approximately 80% by volume of an additional composition, namely composted bark fines (CBF), and minor amounts of a balancing mineral composition (BMC). The balancing mineral composition, its components, and the amounts thereof, will depend on the requirements of the trees which will ultimately be grown and so will vary. The amounts to be added will be decided with the aid of an assay to determine the ambient levels of such compounds within the respective growing medium, before any BMC addition. Typically, the balancing mineral composition, comprising compounds required to support healthy plant function, may be selected from salts of B, Na, K, Fe, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn, Mo, Ni, Al, Se, P, Cl, S, as well as nitrate ions, ammonium ions and sugars.TABLE 4

[0124] Examples 4 and 5 were stored for 6 to 8 weeks in an airy environment prior to testing for fungal content, in comparison with composted bark fines (CBF) to which the same Balancing Mineral Compositions (BMCs) had been added. The presence of the BMC in the CBF allowed for a true comparison with Examples 4 and 5, which also contained the BMC. The results are given in Table 5 below.TABLE 5

[0125] Table 5 shows that Examples 4 and 5 both have much higher concentrations of fungi, compared with the comparison composition which had CBF and BMC, but no starter composition.

[0126] The fungal microbiomes of the growing media of Examples 4, 5 and 6 were examined by DNA techniques, and compared with that of composted bark fines (CBF), as-supplied except for addition of a Balancing Mineral Composition (BMC). The latter was added to create the closest possible comparison with Examples 4, 5 and 6. Included in the tests was a commercial peat-free compost containing coir, wood derivatives and perlite, sold under the Registered Trade Mark JIFFY. This is called 'peat-free' below.

[0127] For each growing medium 4 replicates were tested. For the growing media to which a BMC was added 6 weeks were allowed between the BMC additions and fungal biome testing.

[0128] DNA metabarcoding was used to measure the underlying fungal diversity found in each sample. The a-diversity (within-sample diversity) using richness (that is, number or organisms detected) and Shannon index metrics (a well-known method of determining diversity within a sample) was determined for each sample.

[0129] The Shannon index is a common way to measure the alpha diversity of microbial samples. To use the Shannon index, the DNA is sequenced and all the microbes in the sample are separated into 'bins' or categories. This identifies the different species that are present.Fungal results

[0130] Fungal community a-diversity results are stated in summary in Table 8 below for each index (Richness, Shannon) and growing medium.TABLE 8

[0131] The samples of the invention contained fungi from the phyla Ascomycota, Basidomycota and Mucoromycota, including A.Pezizomycetes, A.Sordariomycetes, A.Leotiomycetes, M.Mortierellomycetes, A.Dothideomycetes, A.Eurotiomycetes, A.Orbiliomycetes, B.Agaricomycetes and B.Tremellomycetes, in varying proportions. Several of these classes of fungi were not found or were found only in low proportion in the CBF + CMB or peat-free examples. One further observation is that Ascomycota Sordariomycetes was much more prominent in the examples of the invention, than in the other samples.

[0132] Each of the compositions of Examples 4 to 6 was then made into a form which was suitable for use as a coating on a tree guard. In each case water was added (approximately 100 parts composition of Figs 4 to 6 to 50 parts water), blended / pulverised, and coarsely strained under moderate pressure, so that the filtrate had a high solids content, and contained visible fibrous particles. The filtrate was thickened by addition of a gum to produce a thickened adhesive fungal composition, containing fibrous particles . The compositions are then sprayed onto both sides of a sheet material and allowed to form a dry composition, as a visible mat or flock on the sheet material. Tree guard blanks are cut from the sheet material, ready for packaging. When the user comes to use them they are affixed around tree saplings in conventional manner.

[0133] When such a tree guard is in use around a tree sapling the composition is released from the outer face more quickly than from the inner face under normal ambient weather conditions, due to the inner surface being more exposed to the weather. Under normal UK weather conditions the outside surface is expected to release its fungal biome in 6 to 12 months and the inside face, in 18-24 months.EXAMPLES ? AND 8

[0134] The tree guards of Examples 7 and 8 differed from the tree guards of Example 2 and 5 only in that the respective adhesive fungal composition was applied to and dried on the inside surfaces only. Onto the respective outside surfaces a weakly-adhesive composition containing minerals which assist sapling growth was applied, and dried. The latter composition contained organic and inorganic materials including at least nitrogen, phosphorous, potash, sulphur, magnesium, calcium, sodium, boron, iron, manganese, copper and zinc. Some of these materials were derived from the seaweed plant Ascophyllum Nodosum and some - especially inorganic materials - were separately added. The composition is a commercial product marketed as a 'seaweed fertiliser' and is intended for dilution when used as a liquid crop fertiliser. However for our purpose it was used neat, other than having a gum admixed with it to produce the required weakly-adhesive quality we want, such that a loading of approximately 5 g of the dried mineral composition onto the outer surface of each tree guard is achieved. In practice good results are achieved when a loading in the range from 2 to 10 g of the dried mineral composition onto the outer surface of each tree guard is achieved.

[0135] The coating operations were carried out on the flat sheet material which was to be cut and formed into tree guards. It will be appreciated that the words inside and outside refer to the tree guards in use.

[0136] The tree guards of Examples 7 and 8 are designed such that the minerals on their outside would rapidly dissolve in rainfall, to deliver minerals to the soil around the protected sapling. The fungal biome on the inner surface of the tree guards of Examples 7 and 8 take much longer to dissolve, for example at least 6 months, due to the more adherent, less readily dissolved nature of coating material and also its presence on the more protected inside surfaces of the tree guards.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tree guard for protecting a young tree from damage caused by animals, the tree guard comprising a composition which includes a fungal biome.

2. Atree guard as claimed in claim 1, wherein in addition to the fungal biome, the composition comprises one or more further soil benefit agents to support healthy plant function, wherein the further soil benefit agents include a bacterial biome and / or one or more minerals.

3. A tree guard as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition is in the form of a coating on a surface of the tree guard.

4. A tree guard as claimed in claim 3, wherein the coating is carried by an outside surface of the tree guard.

5. A tree guard as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the coating is carried by an inside surface of the tree guard.

6. A tree guard as claimed in claim 6 wherein soil benefit agents are carried by the tree guard in such a way that they are released from the tree guard more quickly than the fungal biome.

7. A tree guard as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the composition which includes the fungal biome, and / or the one or more further soil benefit agents if present, is within the material which forms the tree guard, such that the fungal biome leaches from the intact tree guard and / or is released from the tree guard as the tree guard decomposes.

8. A tree guard as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the tree guard is biodegradable and the composition is biodegradable, wherein the composition in use degrades before the tree guard degrades, such that the fungal biome, and the one or more further soil benefit agents when present, are released into the ground while the tree guard is still substantially intact.

9. A tree guard as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the fungal biome has one, any two, or all three of the following characteristics (A), (B) and (C):(A) it contains all of the following fungal classes: Ascomycota Pezizomycetes, Ascomycota Sordariomycetes, Ascomycota Leotiomycetes, Ascomycota Dothideomycetes, AscomycotaEurotiomycetes, Ascomycota Orbiliomycetes, Basidomycota Agaricomycetes, Basidomycota Tremellomycetes, Mucoromycota Mortierellomycetes;(B) it has a Richness value of at least 120;(C) it has a Shannon value (a-diversity) of at least 4.8.

10. A method of producing a tree guard, which method includes the application of a liquid composition which comprises a fungal biome, and optionally one or more further soil benefit agents, to the tree guard or to a precursor of the tree guard (including to a material which will be used in the manufacture of the tree guard).

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the liquid composition contains an adhesive in order to produce a composition of increased viscosity and / or adherence.

12. A method as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the liquid composition comprises a filtrate derived by adding water to a source of fungi followed by straining.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the filtrate is substantially free of visible organic matter.

14. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the filtrate contains visible organic matter, which is retained in the coating of the tree guard or in the composition of the tree guard.

15. A fungi-containing liquid composition, optionally additionally containing bacteria and minerals, containing an adhesive in order to produce a composition of increased viscosity and / or adherence, suitable for application to a tree guard or to a precursor of a tree guard (including by admixture into the material which will form a tree guard).

16. A method of making a fungi-containing liquid composition as claimed in claim 15, the method comprising steps of: adding water to one or more of (i) a compost, (ii) a natural soil and (iii) a tree bark component, optionally, blending and / or pulverising the watered material, straining the watered material to produce a filtrate, adding an adhesive to increase the viscosity and / or adherence of the filtrate, and using the resulting material in the manufacture of a tree guard.

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