AU2008101211A4 - Protective stabiliser for a tree - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2 00

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 O COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR AN INNOVATION PATENT 00

ORIGINAL

00 Name of Applicant: Henry Stubbings Actual Inventor: Henry Stubbings Address for Service: MADDERNS, First Floor, 64 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Invention title: PROTECTIVE STABILISER FOR A TREE Details of Associated Provisional Application No: 2008900513 dated 5 February 2008 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me.

00 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus for arboriculture. In a particular form, the present (Ni invention relates to a protective stabiliser for a tree.

5 PRIORITY DOCUMENTS 00 SThe present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No.

2008900513 entitled "PROTECTIVE STABILISER FOR A TREE" and filed on 5 February 2008, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

(Ni S 10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 00 In many instances it is desirable to provide both stabilisation support and protection to a Sgrowing tree. In some circumstances it is desirable to stabilise trees to ensure that they grow substantially vertical for example when used alongside footpaths, roads or fences or when placed in median strips or road islands. Stabilisation support of young trees or saplings is often beneficial to their growth, as saplings often have elastic trunks, which combined with their smaller root systems and amount of foliage renders them comparatively vulnerable (as compared to more mature trees) to adverse effects of wind, impacts, animals, vandalism, heat, etc. Such effects may be of low but sustained intensity (eg repeated strong winds or high temperatures) or more violent short duration or one-off events (storms, vehicle crashes).

Typically as young trees grow and become more established, they become more resilient to such effects and events.

Stabilisation support may be provided by placing a support means around the tree trunk. In such cases it is preferable that such means are either removable or adjustable so that they do not limit or choke the tree as it grows. Also as the tree grows it may be preferable to adjust the height of the supporting means so that it does not interfere with branches or in order to ensure support is provided at optimum height. It may also be desirable to allow limited movement about the vertical axis in response to gentle stimulus such as wind, so as to reflect natural growth conditions.

Prior art stabilisation support devices typically include one or two stakes to which is attached a stabilisation means such as a strap or hook, which encircles the tree trunk. Other prior art devices include the use of one or more guy ropes. Such prior art devices may provide support to the trees but offer little or no protection to the growing tree. Stabilisation provided may also be directional in nature, with the stabilisation provided stronger in some directions than others. Also in many cases changing the location of the stabilising means around the tree may involve repositioning the entire device.

00 In addition to providing stabilisation, it is often also desirable to protect trees. This can be in the form of a full or partially enclosed tubular shell structure placed around the tree or alternatively an open frame placed around the tree. Such structures can also prevent animals D or people from eating foliage, hitting or trampling the tree, urinating on, or otherwise

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contaminating the soil around the tree. It can also provide protection from winds which may 00 Sact to push the tree. Such structures can also be used to limit the amount of sunlight reaching the soil around the tree or to help contain materials (eg mulch) used to limit evaporation of water from the soil around the tree. The most appropriate type of protective structure may C' vary depending upon the size of the tree, location and seasonal effects. For example it may be desirable to use a fully radially enclosing shell for young trees. As the tree grows, an open 00 frame barrier more suited to prevent impacts. In the case of seasonal winds it may be Sdesirable to place a fully radially enclosing shell around the tree for the required period and to remove at other times. Alternatively in the case of directional winds, it may be desirable to provide only partial radial protection (eg 1800 coverage). It may also be desirable to provide a two part protective structure which is fully enclosing around the lower section, but an open frame in the upper section.

Another consideration is that any protection and stabilisation and protection means should be easily removable so that they do not limit tree growth and to allow them to be reused and redeployed to younger trees in greater need. Protection and stabilisation of trees may also be of assistance in moving, relocating or transplanting trees. For example when a tree is removed from the ground there may be some loss of root structure as only the soil in the immediate vicinity of the tree may be removed. Protection may be beneficial during transit as it would be preferable that when moving or manhandling the tree the protective barrier is held rather than the tree itself. Also following transplantation the tree may require temporary protection and stabilisation as the tree re-establishes itself in the new location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect the present invention accordingly provides an apparatus for protecting and stabilising a tree, including: a removable frame including one or more stabiliser support members, wherein the removable frame sweeps out at least a 900 arc around the trunk of the tree; a stabilising element including a stabilising means, a connecting member and a base member, wherein the stabilising means is adapted to be placed around the tree trunk and the stabilising element is adapted to be supported by a stabiliser support member.

00 The stabilising means may be a helical coil such that the helix sweeps out at least one rotation, and at least one of the at least one stabiliser support members includes a vertical shaft and the base member is adapted to be releasably fastened to at least one vertical shaft of Sat least one stabiliser support members.

00 SThe stabilising support members may include two adjacent stabilising support members which each include a vertical shaft, and the two adjacent stabilising support members are arranged such that the vertical shafts are substantially parallel over at least a portion of the height of the removable frame, and the base member of the stabilising element is adapted to be releasably fastened to the two vertical shafts in this portion.

00 SThe apparatus may further include a plurality of frame base connecting elements, wherein each frame base connecting element connects the frame to a base support structure to fasten the frame to the base supporting structure. Each of the plurality of frame base connecting elements may include a hook portion for engaging with a corresponding aperture in the frame, and a clipping portion for releasably engaging with a projection on the base support structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An illustrative embodiment of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is a protective stabiliser for a tree according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a stabilising element according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 3 is front view of the stabilising element and the stabiliser support member according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 4 is a side view of the stabilising element and the stabiliser support member according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 5 is a top view of the stabilising element and the stabiliser support member according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 6 is a side view of the connecting element of the stabilising element according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 7 is a top view of the base member of the stabilising element according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 8 is a side view through section 8-8 of Figure 7 of the base member of the stabilising element according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 9 is a top view of the base member of the stabilising element with the connecting element inserted according to an embodiment of the present invention; 00 FIGURE 10 is a side view through section 10-10 of Figure 9 of the base member of the stabilising element with the connecting element inserted according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 11 shows the two sections comprising the frame of the protective stabiliser 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention; 00 SFIGURE 12 is a top view of the frame of the protective stabiliser according to an embodiment of the present invention; _FIGURE 13 is a top view of the an assembled base for the frame of the protective stabiliser according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 14 is a top view of a flat base plate according to an embodiment of the present 00 invention; SFIGURE 15 is a side view of a flat base plate according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 16 is a side view of the assembled peg, base and frame leg arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 17 is a peg adapted to be connected to the base according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 18 is a frame base connecting element for attaching the base of the frame to an inground supporting means according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 19 is a side view of a leg of the frame connected to a frame base connecting element which is attached to an in-ground supporting means according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 20 shows various views of a frame base connecting element according an embodiment of the present inventions; and FIGURE 21 shows perspective views of a stabilising element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS The drawings in the present application and their accompanying detailed description are directed to merely example embodiments of the invention. To maintain brevity, other embodiments of the invention which use the principles of the invention are not specifically described in the present application and are not specifically illustrated by the present drawings.

00 Referring now to Figure 1 an embodiment of a protective stabiliser for a tree 100 is shown.

This diagram shows the assembled frame with attached base unit for insertion into the ground.

The frame comes in two sections which are bolted together to protect the tree. Stabilisation of D the tree is provided for by a stabilising element which stabilises the tree trunk and is 00 5 supported by a stabilising support element. The stabilising element incorporates a stabilising Smeans, a connecting member and a base member. In this embodiment the stabilising means is a helical coil for wrapping around the tree trunk and the base member includes clips for attaching to a pair of vertical shafts (of adjacent stabilising support elements) that are substantially parallel over a portion of the height of the frame. The stabilising element is 10 removable and may be attached (and re-attached) to adjacent pairs of the stabilising support 00 00elements at a range of heights. In this embodiment each stabilising support element is formed from a single tube which is folded over to provide two vertical bars of constant spacing (to which the stabilising element may be clipped). The cross-section may be circular or have other regular cross sections such as rectangular or hexagonal sections (at least in the portion where the stabilising element is to be clipped). The stabilising support element may be made from galvanised iron, steel, UV stabilised plastic or other materials suitable for outdoor use. A stabilising support element may be an integral part of the frame, or it could be attached to the frame. In this embodiment, the frame consists of two sections with each section having 3 stabilising support elements. The frame is connected to a base, which may be inserted into the ground to secure the protective stabiliser in place.

In the embodiment, the frame encircles the trunk of the tree. However in alternative embodiments the frame may only partially surround the tree. In order to provide some protection and stabilisation to the growing tree, the frame should sweep out at least a 900 arc around the trunk of the tree and more preferably at least a 1800 arc around the trunk of the tree.

An embodiment of the stabilising element 200 is shown in detail in Figure 2. The stabilising element 200 comprises a stabilising means 210 in the form of a helical coil, a connecting member 220, in this case a cantilever arm, and a base member 230 featuring attachment means 232 in the form of clips for attaching the stabilising element to the vertical bars of the frame. The spacing of the clips at the edges of the base member is equal to the spacing the vertical bars of a stabilising support element so that it may be clipped on or off or slid up or down the support.

Figure 3 is a front view 300 of the stabilising element 200 attached to a stabilising support element 140 and Figures 4 and 5 are side and top views respectively, 400, 500 according to an 00 embodiment of the invention. As indicated by the arrows, the stabilising element may be slid vertically up and down in the section between the two transverse bands 142, 144 which join the stabilising elements to form the frame of the protective stabiliser. The helical coil element S210 can be seen projecting down below the base member 230 which is attached to the two vertical bars of the stabilising support element 140 via clips 232.

00 As can be seen in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 through 5, the stabilising means 210 comprises a helix which has a substantially constant cross-section as viewed along the screw axis of the helix. In this embodiment the helix includes approximately one and a half S 10 rotations and the vertical distance between the start and end of a rotation (sometimes referred 00 to as the pitch of the helix) is substantially constant and equal to the diameter of the cross Ssection (when viewed looking along the screw axis). This enables the helix to be turned on its side (with respect to the trunk) and threaded around the trunk without damaging the trunk.

The helix covers one and half rotations so as to fully encircle the trunk and thereby stabilise the tree against movement in any radial direction. However the helix could cover lesser or greater number of rotations, although not less than one complete rotation. Additional rotations will use more material and may increase the difficulty with placing and removing the helical coil 210 around the trunk. The helix may be formed of a metal or plastic rod or tube, and may be further encompassed by cushioning material such as rubber, plastic or cloth so as to prevent or minimise damage to the tree trunk.

The cross sectional diameter of the helix should be greater than the diameter of the tree to be stabilised. The diameter of the helical coil may be adjustable to allow for growth of the tree, or several stabilising elements of different diameters could be provided, so that an existing stabilising element can be replaced with one having a larger diameter as the tree grows.

The attachment operation involves gripping the base, holding the stabilising element horizontal and then rotating the stabilising element by about 450 from the horizontal. The top of the helix (where it joins the connecting member 220) is placed against the trunk and then the entire unit is threaded around the trunk. This involves inclining the base and moving it so the connecting member traces a conical shape in space with the apex at the tree trunk and the users hand holding the base traces a circle in space. The unthreading operation is the reverse.

Once threaded the stabilising element may be attached to the stabilising support means, and moved as required.

In the present embodiment, the stabilising means of the stabilising element is a helical coil element. However other stabilising means could be used. For example a hook or loop rather 00 than a helix could be used. In such cases the hook or loop could be bent once placed around the trunk so that the loop or hook is closed (that is covers 3600). Alternatively two or more hooks could be used and arranged so that the total angle covered by the hooks covers 3600. In Sanother alternative embodiment, straps could be attached to the connecting means and used to 00 5 wrap around and stabilise the tree. Alternatively a clasping arrangement comprising two semi- Scircular sections where the connecting member 220 is connected to the first semi-circular section and the second semi-circular section can be affixed to the first half circular section to form a circular ring that encompasses the tree trunk (for example using screws or similar fasteners). The stabilising means may be in direct contact with the tree, or clearance may be 10 provided around the trunk to allow some sideways movement of the trunk (for example in 00 0response to a gentle breeze). Other arrangements where the stabilising means encompass the Stree trunk and thereby prevents excessive sideways movement would also be in scope and apparent to the person skilled in the art. The stabilising means could also be padded or similarly protected to prevent damage to the tree. More than one stabilising element could be utilised if desired. The stabilising means could also include measures to prevent or limit movement of the stabilising element by unauthorised persons. This could be by way of locks or the use of fasteners requiring tools (eg screwdrivers, allen keys, spanners, wrenches etc) for the fastening/unfastening process.

In the present embodiment the stabilising element may be slid up and down vertical bars to allow the vertical position of the stabiliser to be changed as the tree grows. Such changes in the vertical height of the stabilising element may be desirable due to tree growth (which may change the height of the centre of mass) or so that new growth is not affected by the location of the stabiliser. The stabiliser clips onto the bars and thus may be easily removed and replaced with a new unit, placed on a different stabilising element (ie different radial position) or moved above or below an internal transverse support band (142, 144) to a different vertical section of a stabilising element 140.

In the present embodiment the attachment means 232 are clips. These clips allow for relatively easy attachment, movement and removal of the stabilising element 200. However it will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that alternative fasteners could be used. For example the ends of the base 230 could include openings through which straps, cable ties, chains etc could be inserted and used to secure the stabilising element 200 to the stabilising support element. The stabilising support element could also have a series of anchor points to which such fastening means could be connected to. In such cases the stabilising element would be placed at discrete heights, rather than any height between the bands 142 and 144 as in the present embodiment. Other alternatives include a hinged clasp with a screw fastener, 00 wherein the clasp can be placed around the vertical bar 140, and a screw used to tighten the

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clasp. This embodiment would prevent or reduce unauthorised movement or removal of the U stabilising element.

00 5 In another embodiment of the invention, the connecting member 220 may be welded to the Sbase member 230. In another embodiment, the stabilising element 200 could be provided in component form and put together by the user. Figure 6 illustrates one arrangement 600 of the connecting element 220 and helix 210 with the end 238 adapted for connection to the base _member 230. The inner side of the base member 230 the side facing the tree) contains 10 two slots 234 as illustrated 700 in Figure 7. Figure 8 illustrates cross section view 800 taken 00 00through section 8-8 of Figure 7 shows that these slots are angled with respect to the base to form an open position. The base of the connecting member 220 is formed into an open triangular shape 238 and the outer edges of this shape slot into slots 234 of the base member 230 as illustrated 900 in Figure 9. Once inserted, the slots of the base member 234 are crimped or compressed so as to lock the connecting member in place and prevent the connecting member 220 from being slid out of the base 230. Figure 10 illustrates this cross section view 1000 taken through section 10-10 of Figure 9.

Another embodiment of a stabilising element 2100 is illustrated in Figure 21. In this embodiment the stabilising means is a helical coil made from a curved steel rod which sweeps out one rotation 2110. The connecting member 2120 is formed from a straight section of the rod forming the helical coil which is welded to the base section 2130. A second straight reinforcing rod is welded to the first rod and the base section, such that the two straight rods are substantially aligned and near parallel. In this embodiment the base section is adapted to be releasably fastened to the vertical shaft of one of the stabilising support members. The base member has first member 2034 and a second member 2036 which together form an aperture 2132 which is shaped to fit around the vertical shaft of a stabilising support member. In this embodiment the connecting member is attached to the outermost side of first member 2034 and the vertical edges are shaped in the form of a wing, with a transverse ledge on the lower most section of the wing. The vertical edge of the second member includes a slot or opening 2037 which is adapted to slide over the wing 2035, until it is stopped by the ledge. To lock the stabilising element in place, the second member includes fastening apparatus in the form of a spring on the inner side formed from a folded piece of steel which is attached to the second member near the fold and is used to exerts a retaining force against the vertical shaft passing between the aperture 2132 to retain the stabilising element in a fixed position. The fastening apparatus further includes a screw which passes through the second member and which has a handle on the outer side. Screwing in the screw applies a force to one side of the spring which 00 reacts by applying a force on the vertical shaft. In this way the spring force applied to the vertical shaft can be controlled so as to allow the stabilising element to be locked in place around the vertical shaft.

5 Embodiments of the stabilising element are further illustrated in the representations of 00 Australian Registered Designs AU318368 and AU321509 lodged on 11 February 2008 and June 2007 respectively, the representations of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

In an embodiment of the invention the frame is comprised of two sections as shown in Figure S 10 11. The frame 1100 comes in two half sections 152,154, where each half section consists of 6 00 vertical bars comprising three stabilising support elements 140. Each vertical bar is fastened Sto transverse support bands 142 and 144 using screws, welds or other fastening means. The two halves of the frame may be joined using screws or other removable fasteners which join the upper and lower transverse support bands 142 and 144 for each half section. Removable fasteners 162 such as screws or bolts (with corresponding nuts) may inserted into holes 164 in the transverse support bands 142 so as to allow the frame to be assembled or removed as needed. A spacing bar 166 may also be used which slots into the two transverse support bands to be joined.

Protective materials may be secured to fully or partially cover the frame so as to further protect the tree from wind, damage or other adverse effects. For example plastic, metal or sheets of suitable material such as canvas could be secured to the frame. Such materials could be used to completely cover the sides of the frame, or cover a section of the frame. Such a section may be in the vertical direction, for example the bottom half, an angular range, for example 1 80 degrees, or a combination of the two. In this embodiment half section 154 includes protective material 156. The protective material may be secured to the frame via the upper and lower transverse bands 142, 144 so as to allow free movement of the stabilising element 200. The transverse bands 142 and 144 may be adapted to enable fastening of protective materials to the frame. In this embodiment opening 158 are made in the transverse bands, and fasteners such as straps, buckles, chains or cable ties can be used to fasten protective materials. The use of openings allows protective materials to be retrofitted to an existing frame section.

In an alternative embodiment, frame sections may be produced which include permanently attached protective materials. In this way a protective section can be easily added or removed by removing the fasteners 162, swapping one of the half sections with the desired half section, and then refastening the fasteners.

00 Figure 12 shows a top view 1200 of the assembled frame, further including a fastener cover C160 which may be provided to cover sharp protrusions such as screw ends. In alternative embodiments, the frame may be comprised of more than two sections which may be joined in a similar manner to that described above.

00 SThe frame may be secured to the ground via either a base section which is inserted into the ground, or using frame base connecting elements for attaching the frame to existing structures such as a GreenWellTM in place around the tree, or to the sides of a pot containing the tree.

In one embodiment, a base is formed from two half sections which are joined together using 00 fasteners 156 as shown in Figure 13 which is atop view of the base 1300. The base 1300 Scontains openings 174 such as circular holes which receive some of the ends of the stabilising support elements 140. The openings may be adapted to have the same cross-sectional shape at the stabilising support elements 140. In this embodiment, one of each of the vertical bars forming a stabilising support element is made longer than the other. This longer end is inserted into opening 174, whilst the other end rests upon the lip of the base.

In this embodiment, the base 1300 comes in two identical base sections wherein each base section 170 is comprised of a flat sheet with a flange as shown in Figure 14 which is a top view, and Figure 15 which is a side view. Each base section 170 may be constructed from a flat rectangular sheet. A flange section is constructed by bending a section of the long edge at approximately 90 degrees sheet. Further bending may be performed to obtain a lip. Openings 172 are cut out in the flange section, and an indentation 176 is made at the bottom of the sheet so as to align in the transverse direction with the opening and as shown in Figures 14 and A series of cut-outs 172 are made in the flange section to indicate the bending points of the sheet. The angle of the cut out is such that when the flat section is bent to form the base, the two sides of the cut-out section come together as illustrated in Figure 13. Each section is connected via screws or similar fasteners 156, and a fastener cover may additionally be provided to cover sharp protrusions such as screw ends.

Figure 17 shows a peg 180 used to both secure the base to the frame and to drive the base/frame into the ground and thereby secure the frame in place. Each peg has a slot 182 which engages the indentation 176 of the base section. The peg also has a flange with an opening 184 wherein the opening is aligned with the opening 174 of the base. The end of a stabilising support element 140 is inserted through the two openings 174,184. Frictional and spring forces lock the end of the stabilising support element in place. The pegs and the lower 00 section of the baseplate are driven into the ground and the frame/base/peg arrangement 1600 is illustrated in figure 16.

SIn some circumstances a preexisting support structure may already be located in the ground.

5 For example plastic or metal sheets may be placed around the plant and part of the root ball of 00 Sthe plant or around the circumference of the hole in which when the plant was placed. One such example is the GreenWellTM made by HR Products. Alternatively the plant may be in a pot, or a pot may have been placed directly in the ground with either holes placed in the bottom or the bottom section removed. In such situations the frame may be directly connected to the in-ground support structure using several frame base connecting elements.

00 SAn embodiment of a frame base connecting element 190 is shown in Figure 18. The frame base connecting element 190 is formed from a metal strip (or similar) that is bent and has opening 194 cut out. The element includes a substantially horizontal section 194 with an opening for receiving the end of a stabilising support element 140, a biasing element 192 extending upwards and inwards from one edge of the horizontal section so as to engage with and exert a force on the stabilising support element 140. An attachment section 196 is opposite to the biasing element 192 and extends downwards from the horizontal section. The section of the stabilising support element 140 protruding through the hole abuts this attachment section 196 to assist with providing a spring biasing force to lock the frame to the frame base connecting element. The attachment section extends below the base of the vertical bar and is adapted to be secured to a rigid support via screws or other fasteners 196. Figure 19 illustrates 1900 the base of a stabilising support element 140 connected to the frame base connecting element 190 which is secured to a support structure according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 20 shows various views 2000 of an embodiment of a frame base connecting element in the form of an anchoring clip 2010 which can be used to connect the frame to a base in which the upper surface of the base includes a projection surface. The anchoring clip includes a hook portion 2012 for engaging with a corresponding aperture in the frame, and a clipping portion 2018 for releasably engaging with a projection on the base support structure. The anchoring clip includes a back portion 2014 and a base portion 2016. The back portion is tapered from a shoulder point 2015 towards the hook portion which is narrower than the base portion which can be seen in rear view 2030 and top view 2040. The back portion may be reinforced through a vertical spine or rod. The corners 2019 of the clipping portion 2018 are bent downwards towards the base to prevent the clipping portion from being completely folded against the base when under load. An example of the anchoring clip in use is provided 00 in side view 2020. The lower end of the frame 2026 is formed from a tube into which an aperture 2027 has been provided which is of sufficient size to receive the hook portion 2012 of the anchoring clip. The base 2022 includes a top surface 2023 which forms a projection Sfrom the side wall, and which further includes a downwardly projecting flanged portion 2024.

00 STo connect the frame 2026 to the base 1022, the hook portion 2012 is inserted into an aperture in the frame 2027. Then the clipping portion 2018 is inserted under the projecting top surface _of the base 2023. The clipping portion is effectively a spring which is compressed when it is inserted under the projecting top surface of the base and this generates a compression force to pull the frame towards the base, thus connecting and anchoring the frame to the base. The 00 bent over comers 2019 of the clipping section prevent the clipping section from being fully Sflattened against the base 2016 under this load.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 20, the projecting top surface 2023 further includes a downward flange 2024 which the edge of the clipping portion 2018 abuts to further retain the clipping portion in place. An example of base having this profile is the GreenWelTM. By providing a plurality of anchoring clips and apertures in the lower section of the frame, the frame can be connected to a base. Such an anchoring clip is illustrated in the representations of Australian Registered Design AU 321516 lodged on 25 June 2007, the representations of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The clip can be released by pulling the clip in the horizontal direction until it is clear of the projecting surface. A tool may be inserted in the gap between the side wall of the base and the edge joining the clipping portion and the base to facilitate release. In use the frame will be anchored to the base in a plurality of points. Apertures may be provided in each of the stabiliser support members or tubes forming the frame or they may be provided on only some of them. Typically several anchoring clips will be required to retain the frame to the base although the exact number will depend upon the configurations of the actual frame and the base, and user preference. The anchoring clip can be formed from a single piece of metal such as steel, or plastic, or other material capable of withstanding the stresses involved in connecting the frame to the base. It will also be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the hook and clipping portion could be inverted. That is the clipping portion could engage with an aperture in the frame and the hook could engage with a base. Various other embodiments of frame base connecting elements are possible such as a shaped clip, 900 rotated U shaped piece or a screw tightenable clamp.

00 GreenWell's are formed from a single strip of plastic. The bottom edge is placed in the ground around a tree and the two ends are brought together so as to encompass the tree. The ends are then joined so as to form a retaining wall that encompasses the trunk of the tree. The D interior region may be filled with water which will soak into the ground around the trunk of

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the tree. However in some cases the seam joining the ends starts to split open in which case 00 the utility of the GreenWell is lost as the rigidity and structural integrity of the wall is lost.

Connecting a frame according to an embodiment of the invention to the GreenWell provides _additional weight and rigidity to the GreenWell to prevent the seam of the GreenWell from opening up. Thus the Greenwell provides a base for supporting the frame, and the frame acts as an anchor to maintain the structural integrity of the GreenWell.

00 SThe protective stabiliser for a tree described above may be easily manufactured using standard size materials, and materials which can be provided in bulk rolled formats reducing waste and lowering overall cost. The unit can also be flat packed for storage and transport and may be easily assembled, and disassembled without specialist tools.

The invention thus provides a means for protecting and stabilising a tree. The frame is removable allowing reuse once protection and stabilisation is no longer required. A helical stabilising arrangement provides adjustable support as the tree grows. The apparatus is particularly suitable forjuvenile trees which are most at risk of damage or growth in nonpreferred directions. The frame can include a base or the frame may be connected to an existing base inserted into the ground such as a GreenWell T M using a plurality of frame base connecting elements. This further reduces the overall cost of the unit.

Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Therefore, the invention should be understood to include all such modifications in its scope.

Claims (2)

1. 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more stabilising support members includes two adjacent stabilising support members which each include a vertical shaft, and the two adjacent stabilising support members are arranged such that the vertical shafts are substantially parallel over at least a portion of the height of the removable frame, and the base member of the stabilising element is adapted to be releasably fastened to the two vertical shafts in this portion.
2. 4. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 3, further including a plurality of frame base connecting elements, wherein each frame base connecting element connects the frame to a base support structure to fasten the frame to the base supporting structure. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of frame base connecting elements include a hook portion for engaging with a corresponding aperture in the frame, and a clipping portion for releasably engaging with a projection on the base support structure.