Science & Technology

Protecting Our Brand

The success of Tree Defender IPCs has made them a valuable tool for citrus growers looking to protect young trees from psyllid exposure and the spread of citrus greening/HLB. With that success, similar products and lower-quality knockoffs have entered the market, often promising comparable results.

As a grower, it is important to do your research. Not all protective covers are made the same. Some products may lack proper UV inhibitors, use lower-quality mesh, or rely on weaker stitching that can break down in harsh weather conditions.

At Tree Defender, quality and integrity come first. Our products are built with durable materials, designed for commercial growing conditions, and validated through multiple university trials. When properly installed and secured, Tree Defender IPCs are designed to fully enclose and protect young trees from psyllid exposure.

That is why proper installation matters. A Tree Defender IPC is only as effective as its setup, and our team is committed to helping growers use the system correctly to protect their investment.

The Tree Defender Has Many Uses

Other crops such as cannabis, coffee, tomatoes, peppers, avocados, pears, blueberries, grapes, and many others can benefit from using The Tree Defender.

This has never been more evident than in the ongoing battle against citrus greening. Growers today are having to use more and more pesticides and fertilizers in an attempt to keep their groves alive, and this method continues to show its limitations. At some point, adding more inputs to achieve the same result can start to feel like trying to fill a leaky bucket. There appears to be a movement of forward-thinking growers in the industry today who are coming to the realization that by continuing down this path, “the juice just isn’t worth the squeeze.” This is where The Tree Defender enters the picture.

The use of different methods of screening to protect plants is not a new concept. However, it has never been practical enough, durable enough, or economical enough for the citrus grower until now. Created by growers for growers, the innovative design of The Tree Defender successfully overcomes all three of these challenges. Just as you would not want to send a child out into the world to face life’s challenges poorly clothed, sick, and malnourished, why would you compromise your investment and start your new planting in this manner?

Bringing Life Back to the Grove

What started as a way to protect young citrus trees from greening has grown into something much bigger. Tree Defender IPCs were created to give young trees a fighting chance, but growers are seeing more than protection. They are seeing trees establish, grow, and thrive in ways that feel reminiscent of citrus from years past.

That same idea is now expanding beyond citrus. From groves and farms to gardens and other high-value crops, Tree Defender IPCs are helping show what is possible when plants are protected from the start.

For us, this is about more than covers. It is about helping bring life back to groves, farms, food sources, and the future of growing.

Solution for Citrus Greening

While long-term solutions are still being developed, The Tree Defender provides growers with an immediate protective tool in the fight against citrus greening by helping prevent psyllids from reaching and infecting young citrus trees as they mature. In use since 2014, The Tree Defender has been tested, refined, and trusted in real grove conditions. When properly installed and secured, no psyllids have been found on trees protected by Tree Defender screens.

The goal is to use The Tree Defender to protect young trees from psyllids and greening during their first two years, while they are in a vegetative and growing state. After those two years, the cover can be removed, leaving the tree healthy, established, and ready to begin producing fruit.

Maintenance sprays are still recommended as needed for issues such as greasy spot, mites, and nutrition. If the grower wishes to continue protecting the tree into its mature years, they can simply purchase a larger Tree Defender.