About

11+ Years

of real world use

1M+

tree defenders installed

5 ★

reviews on Google

Zero

psyllids found inside properly installed Tree Defenders

From Our Groves to Your Backyard

Helping families protect what they grow

As multi-generation Florida citrus growers, Scotty Thompson and Thomas A. Thayer Jr. built Tree Defender to protect not just groves, but the backyard trees and traditions they’ve spent a lifetime caring for.

For many families, their trees mean more than fruit. They represent time, care, and tradition. Tree Defender helps protect that investment from the start.

Our Story

Tree Defender was created by Scotty Thompson and Thomas A. Thayer Jr., multi-generation citrus growers from Polk County, Florida.

After seeing the devastating impact of citrus greening (HLB) on groves across the state, they knew something had to change. The disease wasn’t just affecting large-scale farms, it was threatening backyard trees and the traditions that come with them.

They set out to find a solution that was simple, effective, and accessible to everyone, not just commercial growers.

Built on Real-World Experience

Tree Defender is an individual protective cover designed to block Asian citrus psyllids, the insects responsible for spreading citrus greening.

Made from a breathable mesh, it allows sunlight, air, and rain to pass through while protecting young trees during their most vulnerable stages.

This isn’t a theory or a lab concept. It has been used in real conditions across Florida for over 11 years, with more than 1 million covers installed in both commercial groves and home environments.

When properly installed, no psyllids have been found inside Tree Defenders.

Ongoing trials with the University of Florida Citrus Research and Education Center continue to support what growers have already seen firsthand.

“
The Tree Defender is fantastic. We have used The Tree Defender for two years now, and our trees are able to grow without any disease. There’s no comparison when it comes to trees we’ve seen using The Tree Defender to trees that aren’t. The Tree Defender trees are larger and deeper green and 2x bigger when compared side-to-side. The Tree Defender is worth every penny.

“
With only nine months’ experience with The Tree Defender, I can say that we have already experienced twice the amount of growth and much better leaf color as compared to the unprotected trees planted the same day. They look very promising so far.

“
One of the best qualities of The Tree Defender is its versatility. It protects our trees from greening and psyllids, keeps deer from eating our leaves, provides UV protection to the leaves, and we can use the bags for multiple years on multiple trees. They pay for themselves after the first two years.

Ansel Buhrman

Charles Counter

James Shinn

Our Mission

Our mission is to make proven plant protection simple and accessible for everyday growers. By bringing real-world solutions from commercial groves into the backyard, we help people protect their trees, tend their gardens, and grow with confidence. Because every plant deserves the best possible start.

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About Tree Defender

From Our Groves to Your Backyard

Helping families protect what they grow

As multi-generation Florida citrus growers, Scotty Thompson and Thomas A. Thayer Jr. built Tree Defender to protect not just groves, but the backyard trees and traditions they’ve spent a lifetime caring for.

For many families, their trees mean more than fruit. They represent time, care, and tradition. Tree Defender helps protect that investment from the start.

Our Story

Tree Defender was created by Scotty Thompson and Thomas A. Thayer Jr., multi-generation citrus growers from Polk County, Florida.

After seeing the devastating impact of citrus greening (HLB) on groves across the state, they knew something had to change. The disease wasn’t just affecting large-scale farms, it was threatening backyard trees and the traditions that come with them.

They set out to find a solution that was simple, effective, and accessible to everyone, not just commercial growers.

Built on Real-World Experience

Tree Defender is an individual protective cover designed to block Asian citrus psyllids, the insects responsible for spreading citrus greening.

Made from a breathable mesh, it allows sunlight, air, and rain to pass through while protecting young trees during their most vulnerable stages.

This isn’t a theory or a lab concept. It has been used in real conditions across Florida for over 11 years, with more than 1 million covers installed in both commercial groves and home environments.

When properly installed, no psyllids have been found inside Tree Defenders.

Ongoing trials with the University of Florida Citrus Research and Education Center continue to support what growers have already seen firsthand.

Our Mission

@TreeDefender