Abstract:
Disclosed is a plant protection device that combines the functionality of a solid walled style plant protector that is good for the establishment of a new plant/seedling and perforated style plant protector that is good for an established plant. The wall of a tree/plant protector and growth device has thin areas inherent in the wall that degrade faster than other parts of the same device wall. This occurs based on the weather conditions (wind/rain/cold), UV degradation, biodegradation, and other factors. Over time these areas open up, allowing air, sun light and other environmental elements to reach the plant/tree within the protector. Strategically placing the thinner areas allows for designs for different plant/tree species and applications. Applications for climatic regions—northern, aired, wetlands, etc. Other applications examples are reforestation, vineyards, windbreaks, etc. The degradation of the thin areas can be controlled by using different materials, UV stabilizer levels and other methods.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/352,511 entitled “Protective device for plants, seedlings, and trees” filed Jun. 8, 2010 by Thomas Mills, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of plant protectors which are placed around a plant to provide protection and a favorable growing environment for plants, such as trees. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Plant protectors are used to protect young trees and other types of plants from foraging animals, such as rabbits, rodents and deer. They are also useful for retaining water vapor, thereby increasing the humidity near the plant to create a favorable sheltered growing climate inside the plant protector. 
     A plant protector may also raise the temperature of the sheltered climate around the plant, which is especially beneficial during colder spring months. Use of a plant protector may protect the plant from early spring cold spells, lengthen the growing season and increase the rate of growth. The increased growth is beneficial to reforesting or orchard operations. Plant nurseries may also benefit from the increased plant growth which often occurs with the use of plant shelters. However, elevated temperatures in the sheltered climate may cause problems in the fall months by delaying when the plant goes dormant. Thus, the plant protector optimally is removed or is vented to lower the temperature surrounding the plant. 
     The current protectors are good for the establishment of either a new plant/seedling (solid walled style plant protector) or for an established plant (perforated style plant protector). Most applications require both styles during the establishment of a plant. It is expensive to purchase and install both styles over the plant establishment period of 5 to 7 years. The solid walled is used for the first 2 to 3 years. Then the first protector is removed and a perforated/mesh/fence style is installed in its place. Traditionally, customers make a decision to use one or the other. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,486 to Hurlstone relates to a tree shelter having an elongated tubular body including a longitudinal channel or groove for receiving a stake and which is open at opposing ends. The device is formed of unperforated plastic material which allows light to pass therethrough. Hurlstone contemplates a continuous walled tubular body so that it lacks any capacity for enlarging the diameter of the tubular body. The Hurlstone device is further limited in application because of the inherent difficulty of placing a closed cylinder over plants having spreading branches. 
     Other types of plant protectors include U.S. Pat. No. 3,816,959 to Nalle which discloses a plant protector having tubular mesh to prevent plants from being damaged by animals. However, this particular device provides little favorable sheltered climate effect due its use of open tubular mesh which permits circulation of air therethrough. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,507 to Allen discloses a tree bark protector made from high impact polyurethane plastic molded into half sections which can be fitted over the base portion of a tree trunk where it widens into the soil. The Allen device includes ground engaging anchors for a bottom flange. The facing edges of the half sections accommodate molded locking connectors in enlarged or swollen portions. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,875,533 to Weaver discloses a tree protector formed from concrete which rests on the surface of the ground and surrounds the base of a tree. The disclosed apparatus includes three longitudinal solid sections of identical size and shape secured in assembled relation by wires. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The wall of a tree/plant protector and growth device has thin areas inherent in the wall that degrade faster than other parts of the same device wall. This occurs based on the weather conditions (wind/rain/cold), UV degradation, biodegradation, and other factors. Over time these areas open up, allowing air, sun light and other environmental elements to reach the plant/tree within the protector. Strategically placing the thinner areas allows for designs for different plant/tree species and applications. Applications for climatic regions—northern, aired, wetlands, etc. Other applications examples are reforestation, vineyards, windbreaks, etc. The degradation of the thin areas can be controlled by using different materials, UV stabilizer levels and other methods. 
     Consumers have two types of devices to protect plants, seedlings and trees from deer, rodents, weather, people, etc—Solid or perforated/mesh/fence walled plant protectors. Solid wall protectors are best for new plantings of young plants and seedlings, while the perforated/mesh or fence walled protectors are better for the tree/plants once the plant is older, above the browsing stage of its development. 
     The solid protectors produce an environment that completely shelters the plant from animals and the environmental elements, while creating an environment inside the protector that increases growth and improves form. It is beneficial to have a small level of venting in the solid wall plant protectors. A key feature of this device is a venting system build into the design of the device while it is in the solid wall stage. 
     The perforated/mesh/fence products protect the trunk or base of the plant while allowing the environmental elements such as air, wind, rain, sun, etc through to the plant. In this stage of the plants life, it still needs limited protection, but needs to be exposed, so the plant can acclimate itself to the elements and not allow mold and fungus to develop as can happen with solid tubes. 
     A purpose of this device is to bridge the gap between the two plant protector&#39;s styles. This device starts off as a solid wall protector and over time due to the thinner areas built into the walls of the device degrading, opening up, and allowing a free exchange of air from the outside elements to enter the device. The device physically changes over time from a solid walled device into a perforated/mesh/fence device. This eliminates the need to purchase and install two separate protection devices during the 5 to 7 years it can take to establish a plant or tree. 
     Another aspect of this protection and growth device is that this design can be applied to any tree protector design (a flat sheet of any dimensions that can be rolled/shaped into a tube/cylinder or a tube/cylinder manufactured of any material) regardless of the material used in the production, protector style or shape, manufacturing technique, or any other criteria in the production or use of plant protector. This is an improvement on the plant protectors/shelter/grow tubes already on the market. 
     A second feature to this device is a design that reduces the material needed to produce a plant protector by reducing the wall thickness of the center section of the plant protector. For a protector with a flexible sheet having a height of at least 1 foot, such as a 48 inch protector, the top 4 inches and bottom 4 inches would have a wall thickness great enough to hold the ties in place to keep the device attached to the support stake. The use of other materials can also have the same effect. The remaining 40 inches in the center is made of a thin material. Sample wall thickness differences could be—30 mil 4 inch top and bottom rings verses a 3 mil 40 inch center sections. This reduces the overall weight without losing functionality. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a plant protector apparatus having flexible ties engaged but not tightened about a support stake, thus illustrating the relationship of the side edges, the apertures, the ties and the stake prior to tightening the flexible ties. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the apparatus in  FIG. 1  with the ties tightened about the stake. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus in  FIG. 2  showing the overlapping side edges tightened against the stake and showing the inner substantially smooth layer and the outer corrugated layer. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the apparatus in  FIG. 1  having a “window” formed. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the plant protector that includes top flaps which can be bent outward of the top of the plant protector. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view showing two sheets connected to provide a larger diameter plant protector with flexible ties engaged through matching side edge apertures prior to tightening. For clarity, the plant protector is shown without the stake and the flexible ties for engaging the matching apertures on the opposite side edges of the sheets. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a plant protector apparatus having two sheets which are vertically connected to provide a taller protector apparatus. 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the plant protector apparatus having a tubular body. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a further embodiment of the plant protector invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of a modification to the embodiment of  FIG. 9  shown with the inner liner folded over the top of the outer liner. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional view of the plant protector shown in  FIG. 10 , taken along lines  11 - 11  as viewed in the direction of the arrows. 
         FIG. 12  is a partial side view of still another embodiment of the invention showing a spike formed at the bottom edge of the protector. 
         FIG. 13  is a top elevational view of a fully extruded plant protector according to one embodiment of the invention, shown prior to forming into a cylinder. 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged view of the interlocking fastener of the plant protector shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the skeleton of a plant protector apparatus having flexible ties engaged but not tightened about a support stake, thus illustrating the relationship of the side edges, the apertures, the ties and the stake prior to tightening the flexible ties. It also shows examples or the ventilation holes shapes and positioning. 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of the apparatus in  FIG. 15  with the degradable skin covering the ventilation holes. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of the apparatus in  FIG. 16  with a section of the skin removed showing that the ventilation holes are under the skin. 
         FIG. 18  is a side view of the apparatus in  FIG. 16  with a section of the skin removed showing the path air is allowed to flow in and out of the device. It illustrates one way to attach the skin to the skeleton creating these paths. 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of the apparatus in  FIG. 18 . It illustrates an alternative attachment pattern of the skin to the skeleton creating different paths for the air to transfer in and out of the device. It also illustrates the ventilation controls available with this attachment technique. 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of the apparatus showing the relationship of the components as in  FIG. 15 . It shows the skin and skeleton as continuous walled tubes. 
         FIG. 21  is a top view of the apparatus showing the relationship of the components as in  FIG. 15 . It shows how the components of the device work when the skin is a continuous walled tubes and the skeleton is made from a flat sheet that forms a tube when the side walls come together and overlap. 
         FIG. 22  is a top view of the apparatus showing the relationship of the components as in  FIG. 15 . It shows how the components of the device work when the skin is made from a flat sheet that forms a tube to cover the ventilation hole. It shows the skin being held in place by the ties that hold the device to the support stake. 
         FIG. 23  illustrates several alternatives to the round ventilation holes. 
         FIG. 24  is a side view of a skeleton design. The center portion of the device is thinner than the top and bottom section.  FIG. 24  also illustrates an optional collar that can be placed on the top rim to protect the plant as it emerges out of the device. 
         FIG. 25  is a side view of the apparatus in  FIG. 16 . It illustrates the process of the skin degrading and falling away from the skeleton. 
         FIG. 26  is a side view of the apparatus in  FIG. 16 . It illustrates the control over the process of the skin degrading and falling away from the skeleton. 
         FIG. 27  illustrates four scenarios of the relationship between the increase of ventilation and the degradation of the skin. 
         FIG. 28  shows a side view that illustrates air movement through ventilation holes due to a chimney effect that occurs as the wind travels across the open top or the device. 
         FIG. 29  shows a side view of the device with a net/mesh skin. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a plant protector apparatus  11  is illustrated which comprises a resilient polymeric sheet  13  having a top edge  15 , a bottom edge  17 , and two side edges  19  and  21 . The apparatus also includes a number of apertures  22  and  23  defined in matching pairs at the opposite side edges  19  and  21 , respectively. These matched apertures  22  and  23  can be aligned such that an aperture on one side edge  19  has a corresponding aperture on the other side edge  21  when the sheet  13  is formed into a cylinder  24 . The apertures  19  and  21  are offset from their respective side edges so that the edges may overlap, as shown by side edge overlap  27  in  FIG. 3 . 
     The apparatus also includes a stake  29 , or vertical support for anchoring the apparatus to the ground. A number of flexible ties  31  extend through the matching apertures  22  and  23  and around the stake  29  to secure the side edges  19 ,  21  and stake  29  to one another. The ties  31  are tightenable to force the side edges into overlapping relation and to press the stake  29  against the overlap  27 , thereby sealing the edges and forming a cylinder  24  around the plant to be protected. A preferred side edge overlap is about one inch, which requires a stake  29  having a comparable width. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates the flexible ties  31  passing through the matching apertures  22  and  23  and around the stake  29  but not yet tightened.  FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate the normal operating position of the apparatus in which the flexible ties  31  are tightened to secure the edges and stake together thereby forming a seal along the overlap  27 . The ties  31  can be of the type such that the ends can be twisted together, such as ends  32 , to tighten the ties about the stake. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates apparatus  11  having a “window”  40  which includes all of the features described in  FIGS. 1-3 . In this embodiment, the ties  31  can be of a known flexible interlocking type, such as an electrical cable tie. The plant protector apparatus  11  is shown with three ties,  31 A,  31 B and  31 C which can define a “window”  40  while maintaining a rigid connection to the stake. This is accomplished by loosening the top tie  31 A and middle tie  31 B, pulling the side edge  19  over the stake  29 . The bottom tie  31 C is left tight leaving a portion of the side edge  19  near the bottom edge  17  located adjacent to the side edge  21  while the remaining portion of the outer overlapping edge is positioned adjacent to the stake  29  so that the stake is between both side edges  19  and  21  above the lower tie  31 C and tightening the top tie. An alternative method for venting the plant protector apparatus  11  includes loosening the middle tie  31 B, separating side edge  19  from side edge  21  and inserting a wedge or stake between the side edges thereby maintaining a ventilation opening. 
     Preferred materials for the resilient sheet  13  include polyethylene and polypropylene, although alternative polymers may be used. It is also contemplated that bubble pack sheet material, single layer sheets, polymeric foams and sheets of treated cellulose or other similar materials can be used as long as they are flexible and are substantially resistant to decay from the elements. It is contemplated that the polymeric sheets permit passage of light there through, although alternative embodiments may include opaque polymeric sheets and the use of color to absorb or reflect certain frequencies of light to modify the heat generated. The plant protector can also be composed of a biodegradable material that does not require removal after use. 
     An especially preferred material for the sheet  13  is a multiple ply resilient polymeric sheet which includes a substantially smooth inner ply or layer  33  and corrugated outer ply  35 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . It is contemplated that the material of both sheets be of sufficient gauge to weigh about 90 to 150 pounds per thousand square feet, the preferred weight of material being 130 pounds per thousand square feet. A variety of corrugation patterns and sheet gauges may be used to vary structural characteristics and resiliency of the sheet  13  for the desired application. The two layers  33  and  35  are preferably bonded together. The corrugated ply  35  includes grooves  36  that extend longitudinally along the sheet. One advantage of lamination of corrugated outer layer  35  and smooth inner layer  33  is realized in an increase in strength and rigidity of the assembled apparatus  11 . The substantially smooth inner layer  33  also helps protect the plant from damage by chaffing. 
     The flexible ties  31  may be locking nylon ties, metal wire, rope or cloth ties. Adhesive tape may also be used to seal and adhere the side edges to one another. It is also contemplated that the side edges  19  and  21  can be heat sealed together during manufacture or after placement around the plant. The stake  29  may be formed of wood, metal, plastic or other suitable materials for anchoring an apparatus to the ground. Although a single stake is generally used, larger cylinders or protectors placed in areas of higher winds may use multiple stakes for added security. It is preferred that multiple stakes be secured by ties passing through matching apertures at other locations around the circumference of the apparatus  11 . 
     Advantages of the plant protector include being able to open the side edges to allow ventilation to permit the plant to become dormant in the fall and to prevent overheating in warm climates. The plant protector apparatus allows the venting of the air around the plant by loosening the flexible ties and separating the side edges. This allows air to mix and pass through the tree protector to lower the temperature and humidity in a manner similar to how a greenhouse is ventilated. 
     The use of a flexible sheet offers significant advantages over a sealed or continuous cylinder. Many plants or trees to be protected have spreading branches which make placement of a continuous cylinder around the plant more difficult. This problem is avoided by the present apparatus and method which contemplates wrapping the sheet  13  around the plant and connecting the opposite edges of the sheet to form a cylinder. 
     Another advantage of the plant protector of this invention is the ability to supply the protector in sheet form. The sheets may be supplied in large rolls or as precut sheets placed in packing boxes to allow better use of shipping space. The use of a sheet permits economical manufacture of the plant protector in a wide variety or diameters and heights to satisfy a variety of applications. 
     In using the plant protector  11 , the sheet is formed around a plant and the side edges  19  and  21  are overlapped to define a cylinder. The user next aligns the matching apertures  22  and  23  along the side edges, and places the stake  29  at the overlap  27 . Ties  31  are passed through the apertures and around the stake and tightened to seal the edges. The stake can be anchored into the ground before or after the ties have been engaged around the stake. The user may also slip the ties over the stake after the ties have been loosely engaged through the apertures. 
     The stability of the plant protector may also be increased by inserting a portion of the bottom edge  17  into the earth to reduce lateral twisting and turning caused by wind. The insertion of the bottom edge into the ground for increased stability is especially effective when using a sheet having a corrugated outer layer  35 . Insertion of the plant protector into the ground also forms a seal between the bottom edge and the ground which increases the sheltered climate effect by reducing ventilation of the tree protector. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in which a plant protector apparatus  41  includes the principal features of plant protector apparatus  11  and additionally includes top flaps  42  formed along top edge  43  of the inner layer  46 . The flaps  42  are defined by a plurality of longitudinal slits  44  formed on a portion  45  of the inner layer  46  which extends beyond top edge  50  of the corrugated layer  47  to the top edge  43 . Alternatively, the flaps may be cut into the corrugated layer  47  as well in the instance with no portion  45  extending beyond the corrugated layer. The top flaps  42  can be folded outward to accommodate branches near the top edge  43 , and to decrease chaffing damage to the branches due to motion of the protector  41  resulting from the wind. It is preferred that the flaps be at least one or two inches long although they may be shorter in alternative embodiments. The top flaps may resiliently engage the tree branches between the flaps, further securing the upper portion of the plant protector. 
     Alternatively, the portion  45  of the inner layer  46  which extends beyond top edge  50  of the corrugated layer  47  can be folded outwardly over the corrugated layer or extend upward. In this embodiment the portion  45  is continuous between the side edges rather than having flaps  42  defined by longitudinal slits  44  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The unslit portion  45  in this embodiment has been effective in reducing chaffing damage due to its substantially smooth surface and resilient cushioning effect when in contact with plants. Details of this variation are described herein in connection with  FIGS. 9-11 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a composite plant protector  57  formed by a first sheet  59  and a second sheet  61 , each of which can be the configured like sheet  13  in  FIG. 1 . The first sheet  59  includes a first side edge  63 , and a second side edge  65 , while the second sheet also includes a first side edge  67  and a second side edge  69 . The respective first side edges  63  and  67  each include a number of matching apertures  73  and  75  offset from the respective side edges. The apertures  73  and  75  can be aligned so that the first side edges of the two sheets  59  and  61  overlap. Flexible ties  77  passing through the apertures  73  and  75  can secure the sheets together at the first edges  63  and  67 . The second side edges  65  and  69  of the first sheet  59  and second sheet  61 , respectively, also include matching apertures  79  and  81 . A number of flexible ties (not shown) can be passed through matching apertures  79  and  81  to encircle a stake (not shown) in a manner described above, thereby forming a larger diameter cylinder. It is apparent that a plurality of sheets, such as sheet  13  in  FIG. 1 , can be connected in the manner just described to form a composite plant protector, such as protector  57  in  FIG. 5 . The resulting cylinder is sealed at all overlapping side edges using flexible ties. Stakes, such as stake  29 , can be attached at each of the side edge overlaps using the same ties  77 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a composite plant protector for taller plants. In this embodiment, a composite plant protector apparatus  85  includes a first sheet  87  and a second sheet  89 , each of which include the features of the sheets shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . The first sheet  87  includes a bottom edge  91  which is situated adjacent top edge  93  of the second sheet  89 . The edges  91  and  93  include a plurality of matching apertures  100  and  101 , respectively, which are located a substantially equal distance from their respective edges  91  and  93 . Flexible ties  103  passing through apertures  100  and  101  connect the bottom edge  91  of the first sheet  87  to the top edge  93  of the second sheet  87  thereby forming a taller cylinder. 
     Plant protector  85  also includes side edges  95  on the first sheet  87  and  105  on the first sheet  87  with matching pairs of apertures  109 . The second sheet  89  includes side edges  97  and  107 , also with matching pairs of apertures  111 . A plurality of flexible ties  115  extending through the aperture pairs  109  and  111  can be used to engage the cylindrically formed sheets to a stake  117  in the manner described above. The stake  117  differs from the stakes previously described in that it is longer to support the taller cylinder formed by the composite plant protector  85  of  FIG. 6 . 
     It is also contemplated that the first sheet  87  and the second sheet  89  be sealed together without requiring matching apertures  100  and  101  and ties  103  passing there through by using adhesive tape at the respective bottom edge  91  and top edge  93 . It is preferred to apply the adhesive tape to the inner portion of the sheets for protection from the elements prior to placement around the plant. Alternatively, the sheets may be joined by adhering the tape to the outer portion of the sheet. It is also contemplated that the sheets  87  and  89  may be joined by a heat seal. The heat seal may be formed prior to shipment to the user or on-site by the user. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , an alternative plant protector apparatus  119  is shown. The plant protector apparatus  119  comprises a resilient polymeric cylinder  121  having a top end  123  and a bottom end  125 . The cylinder  121  includes a substantially continuous wall  126  which defines longitudinal slits  127  which define top flaps  129  located adjacent the top end  123 . The cylinder also includes matching pairs of apertures  131  spaced at uniform distances from the bottom end  125 . The plant protector apparatus  119  also includes a stake  133  and flexible ties  135  which pass through the matching apertures  131  and around the stake. The cylinder  121  in this embodiment is formed from a single face thermoplastic, cardboard or cellulosic material. It is preferred that a number of cylinders  121  be provided having slightly different diameters to permit nesting for more efficient shipment of the plant protectors. Alternatively a sheet  13  as shown in  FIGS. 1-4  may have its side edges  19  and  21  heat sealed to one another to form the resilient polymeric cylinder  121 . 
     The plant protector  119  is placed around the plant to be protected by sliding the cylinder  121  over the plant, sliding the flexible ties  135  through the matching apertures  131  and encircling the stake.  133  The ties  135  are tightened and the plant protector is anchored by anchoring the stake and the bottom end into the ground. After the plant protector is anchored the top flaps are positioned by bending the top flaps outward from the plant. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an alternative embodiment of the invention is depicted which parallels the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . Specifically, a plant protector apparatus  150  is formed by an outer sheet  152  which is corrugated to include a number of longitudinally extending grooves  153 , in a manner previously described. The outer sheet  152  has a bottom edge  155 , which will ultimately be disposed adjacent the ground, and an opposite top edge  156 . The first side edge  158  and second side edge  159  is overlapped at a portion  160 , in a manner previously described. A number of matching apertures are provided in each of the edges  158  and  159 , substantially identical to the apertures  22  and  23  shown in  FIG. 1 . An anchor stake  162  is attached to the outer corrugated sheet  152  by a number of flexible ties  163 , each extending through corresponding apertures in the outer sheet, in a manner previously described. 
     The plant protector  150  further includes an inner sheet  165 , which in this instance is preferably separate from the outer sheet  152 . The inner sheet includes a first and second side edges,  167  and  168  respectively, which join at an overlap  169 . The overlap  169  corresponds to the overlap  160  for the outer sheet  152 . The inner sheet also includes corresponding matching apertures which are aligned with the similar apertures in the outer sheet  152 . 
     In this embodiment of the invention, the plant protector  150  includes an extended top portion  170  of the inner sheet  165 . In one specific embodiment, the top sheet extends beyond the top edge  156  of the outer sheet  152  by one-half-one and one half inches. The inner sheet  165  is made of a thinner gauge material than the outer corrugated sheet  152  so that it is very flexible and resilient should it contact the plant to be protected. In this embodiment, the top portion  170  differs from the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  in that the top portion is continuous, rather than formed into a number of flaps, such as flaps  42  in that earlier embodiment. 
     In a modification of the plant protector shown in  FIG. 9 , a plant protector  150 ′ is depicted in  FIG. 10 . In this embodiment, the plant protector  150 ′ is formed by an outer sheet  152  which is identical in all respects to the like numbered component in  FIG. 9 . The difference between the embodiment of  FIG. 10  is that the top portion  170 ′ is folded over the top edge  156  of the corrugated outer sheet  152 . Specifically, the top portion  170 ′ of the inner sheet  165 ′ is folded at a fold portion  172 ′ to overlap the top edge  156 . This fold is shown in more detail in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 11 . In this figure it can be seen that the overlapping side edges  167 ′ and  168 ′ of the inner sheet  165 ′ are also folded over the top edge  156  of the outer sheet  152 . 
     In assembling this particular version, the inner sheet  165  is laid over the outer sheet  152 , both sheets lying fiat. The apertures in the respective sheets are then aligned. Next, the inner sheet  165 ′, and particularly the top portion  170 ′, is folded over the top edge  156  of the outer sheet  152  to form a fold  172 ′. In this form, both sheets are then wrapped around into a cylindrical shape, such as the shape shown in  FIG. 10 . The stake  162  is then positioned adjacent the matching apertures and the flexible ties pass around the stake and through the apertures to completely secure the plant protector  150 ′. 
     It can be seen that the embodiment of  FIGS. 9-11  add to the versatility of the plant protector  150  of this invention. In one instance, the inner sheet  165  can remain with its top portion  170  extending upright from the outer sheet  152 . In another use, the top portion  170 ′ is folded over the outer sheet. The top fold  172 ′ of this latter embodiment provides a rounded surface that is gentler to the plant being protected by the apparatus. In addition, the fold  172 ′ adds additional hoop stiffness at the upper edge of the tree protector  150 ′ to prevent buckling of the apparatus. In the preferred embodiment, a separate inner sheet  165  is provided to overlay the outer sheet  152 . Alternatively, the inner and outer sheets can be already laminated together, and the top portion  170  of the inner sheet formed by cutting off an upper portion of the corrugated outer sheet to expose the top portion  170  beneath. 
     In a modification to each of the previously described embodiments, a plant protector  175 , having an outer sheet  177  with corrugation grooves  178 , can include spikes  182  extending from the bottom edge  180  of the sheet  177 . These spikes are preferably 3-5 inches long per foot of out-of-ground length of the plant protector  175 . That is, if the plant protector extends five feet out of the ground, the stakes  182  are preferably 15-25 inches long in order to firmly anchor the plant protector  175 . In the preferred embodiment, the spikes  182  are cut from a single corrugated sheet. In this matter, the spikes  182  would at least initially include corrugation grooves  178 . However, in order to add stiffness and facilitate introduction of the spikes into the ground, these corrugation grooves  178  are flattened at the spikes, thereby yielding thicker material at that portion of the plant protector  175 . Alternatively, although less desirable, the outer sheet  177  can be formed so that the portion ultimately cut to form the spikes  182  is not formed with corrugation grooves  178 . When using the spikes  182  of this modification, it is preferred that the spikes flare slightly outward away from the cylindrical plant protector  175  in order to provide a firm anchor for the plant protector into the ground. 
     Yet another embodiment of the protection and growth device is shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . In this embodiment, the plant protector  185  is defined by a single extruded sheet  186 . Specifically, the extruded sheet  186  is formed with corrugation ridges  188 A and grooves  188 B integral with an inner sheet  189 . The corrugation ridges form a channel  190  between the ridges  188 A and the inner sheet  189 . Alternatively, the ridges  188 A can be solid, that is no channel  190  defined between the corrugations and the inner sheet. However, it is preferred that the extruded sheet  186  include the channels  190  in the corrugations to reduce the weight without sacrificing any strength for the plant protector apparatus  185 . 
     The extruded sheet  186  is also formed with a first fastener end  191  and an opposite second fastener end  192 , both fasteners operating as a male-female interlocking fastener. The first fastener end defines a flanged tab  194  which fits within a correspondingly shaped recess  195  at the second fastener end  192 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , when the extruded sheet  186  is wrapped into a cylinder, the flange tab  194  is received within the recess  195  to engage the respective ends of the sheet  186 . It is understood that the plant protector  185  in accordance with this embodiment is extruded in a single longitudinal sheet so that the flanged tab  194  and recess  195  extend along the entire length of a side edge of the extruded sheet  186 . With this embodiment, the flexible ties of the previous embodiments are not required to connect the opposite side edges of the extruded sheet  186 . However, apertures may be provided to receive ties to engage a stake to the plant protector  195 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates the main support structure of this device known as the skeleton  200 , robust flexible sheet, or robust shell. The skeleton  200  is a continuous tube or sheet and is the main support for the plant protector and is configured to circumscribe a living plant. The skeleton  200  has a plurality of ventilation holes  201   a,b,c , and  d  drilled, cut, or punched through its walls. Ventilation is required for increased growth, acclimation of the protected plant to the environmental elements, and better survival rates for the plant. It also reduces the material to needed to manufacture the device, reducing material cost, weight for shipping costs and handling. Also illustrated are several ventilation hole  201  designs—round  201   a , square  201   b , diamond  201   c , and hexagon  201   d . In the illustrated examples, the round holes have smaller areas than the square holes. The ventilation hole  201  shape is not limited to these shapes to accomplish the goal. The ventilation hole  201  shape is chosen for manufacturing, structural, or performance issues. For example—the diamond and hexagon shapes  201   c,d  shapes allow for the ventilation holes  201  to be positioned closer together by staggering the rows while maintaining or even increasing the structural strength of the skeleton  200 . The skeleton  200  can be manufactured from materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic, wood, metal, or other materials as needed for the application. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates the relationship between the components. Fastening ties  202  are used to hold the device to a support stake  203 , or vertical support anchoring the device in place over the plant. The plant protector can be placed on or slightly beneath ground level  204 . This can add support and keep small rodents from entering the protector. The light transmission of the skeleton  200  can range from opaque to transparent. The amount of light is dependent on the application. Some plants require more light. The age/size of the plant at the time of the devices installation can play a part in the level of transparency of the device. For example, a plant that is taller than the device would need little to no light transmission and a plant shorter than the device would require as much light transmission as possible. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a skin  205 , or degradable covering to cover the ventilation holes  201  to control, restrict, reduce or eliminate the free flow or exchange of air, climatic conditions and other element/weather. This feature also allows the control, amount or time moisture is maintained or retained in the device for the benefit of the plant. 
     This skin  205  can be formed at the time of manufacturing as part of that process or as a separate part attached by glue, welding, mechanical device or other method appropriate to the material the device is manufactured from. The skin  205  can be manufactured from degradable material such as paper, cardboard, plastic, wood, metal, or other materials as needed for the application. 
       FIG. 17  shows a section of the skin  205  removed to illustrate that the ventilation holes  201  exist under the skin  205 . The light transmission of the skin  205  can range from opaque to transparent. The amount of light is dependent on the application. Some plants require more light. The age/size of the plant at the time of the devices installation can play a part in the level of transparency of the device. For example a plant that is taller than the device would need little to no light transmission and a plant shorter than the device would require as much light transmission as possible. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a technique to control the ventilation while covering the ventilation holes  201 . In this embodiment the holes are round with diameters of at least half an inch. One reason for this ability is to keep the plant and its branches from growing vertically out the ventilation holes  201  while allowing ventilation. By using horizontal attachment points  206 , instead of laminating the entire skin  205  as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the free flow or exchange of air can be controlled while maintaining a solid plant protector. As shown in  FIG. 18 , a plurality of holes in the skeleton are located between horizontal seems and even while connected the skin is detached from the skeleton except for at horizontal attachment points.  FIG. 18  shows horizontal attachment points  206 . This allows air flow  208  to travel between the skin  205  and the skeleton  200 , then through the ventilation holes  201  into the device. The air flow  208  is created by the chimney effect of wind blowing across the open top of the device. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates vertical attachment points  206   b  that create air flow  208  from the bottom of the device. Also shown is the ability to control the level or height in which the air enters the skeleton  200  by adjusting the vertical positions of a thick horizontal attachment point  206   a  and a thin horizontal attachment point  206   c . In the device illustrated in  FIG. 19 , the vertical attachment points  206   b  are seems in the skin  205  having thicknesses between 1 and 2 millimeters. The thin horizontal attachment point  206   c  is a seem in the skin  205  having a thickness of between 3 and 4 millimeters, and the thick horizontal attachment point  206   a  is a seem in the skin  205  having a thickness between 4 and 5 millimeters. Based on the thicknesses of the seams, the skin  205  will sequentially detach from the skeleton at the vertical attachment points  206   b , then the thin horizontal attachment point  206   c , then the thick horizontal attachment point  206   a . The thin horizontal attachment is a seem extending parallel to the thick horizontal attachment point. Perpendicular seems may also be used. 
       FIG. 20  shows a top view illustrating the relation of the components when the skeleton  200  is a solid continuous tube and the skin  205  is attached using attachment points  206  by lamination, vertical or horizontal attachment points  206  or any other manner. Numerous with varied skeletal sizes may be produced so that that they may be nested within each for easy transportation. 
       FIG. 21  illustrates the same relationship as  FIG. 20  with a different skeleton  200  style. This skeleton  200  style is a flat sheet. It shows the overlap  209  of the right and left sides. This overlap  209  will seal once the ties  202  are tightened against the support stake  203 . In an alternate embodiment, the degradable skin is located within the skeleton such that the skeleton circumscribes the degradable covering. Having the degradable covering within the skeleton helps to prevent drift of the degradable material after it detaches from the skeleton. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates a skeleton  200  as in  FIG. 20  with a skin  205  manufactured as a separate sheet not attached to the skeleton  200  but held in place by the ties  202  with the support stake  203 . An advantage to this design is flexibility in the manufacturing process, flexibility to use different material together to make the device, to create flexibility to control the degradation of the skin  205  to increase ventilation. The attachment method will offer 100% ventilation once the skin  205  is released from the ties  202  due the degradation of the skin  205  at the ties  202 . 
       FIG. 22  also shows the possibility to manufacture the device as an oval shape. This device can be made as any shape as examples are shown in  FIG. 23 . 
     The finished device possibilities are unlimited when considering all the possible shapes, skins  205  and skeletons  200  as continuous tubes or sheets, different materials, and ventilation hole  201  shapes/position/patterns. 
       FIG. 24  illustrates an alternative skeleton  200  design. A material cost savings can be accomplished by reducing the material thickness in the center section  210  of the skeleton  200 . Depending on the application the top and/bottom  211  of the skeleton  200  is thicker than the center section  210 . The top and/bottom  211  material can also be different than the center section  210 . These changes allow for reduced manufacturing costs and control of the plant protectors degradation. Thinning the center section  210  can allow it to degrade, falling away and/or opening up before the top and/bottom  211 . Conversely by thickening or using a different material for the top and bottom  211  the degradation time can increase or decrease. UV stabilizers can also be used to create the same outcome. For example the skeleton may be doped with UV stabilizers throughout the entire protector except at areas that are to degrade quickly and open as ventilation holes. The top/bottom  211  allow for better support for the ties  202  to hold the plant protector to the support stake  203 . 
       FIG. 24  illustrates the flexibility to place the ventilation holes  201  as needed for the different applications. This example places the ventilation holes  201  just below the half way point. This allows for applications requiring herbicides. The herbicide can be sprayed below the ventilated area. It is also possible to use any combination and placement of ventilation holes  201  covered or not by a skin  205  to accommodate all species of plants and their applications. 
       FIG. 24  shows the protective collar  212 . This extension from the top of the plant protector protects the plant from rubbing on the protector&#39;s top edge  215 . The protective collar  212  can be a separate piece attached to the skeleton  200  or the skin  205  can be extended beyond the protectors&#39; top edge  215 . Depending on the application the protective collar  212  can be on the inside or outside of the plant protector. Alternatively, the degradable skin may extend beyond the skeleton to act as a protective collar. The protective collar  212  may be a thin flexible material that can be folded over onto itself as a collar on a shirt. The protective collar  212  may be as a flare. 
       FIG. 25  illustrates the process of the skin  205  self removal feature of this device due to the degradation and break down of the skin  205  and attaching points  206 . UV stabilization, material type, material thickness, and many other items and conditions play a part in the degradation of the skin  205 . Based on these factors it is possible to control the removal of small, medium, and large pieces of the skin  205  within a given time factor. Even the whole skin  205  can be removed. The degradation is due to many environmental conditions such as the sun (photo degradation), wind, rain, cold, biodegradation and other factors. Humans and animals can also play a part. 
       FIG. 25  shows the self removal process occurring in larger sections based on horizontal attachment points  206 . This illustration shows a complete skin section  216   a  between attachment points  206   b  and  206   c  removed after a time period and the skin section  216   b  partially removed. 
       FIG. 26  illustrates the self removal of the skin  205  by showing parts of the skin section  216  intact or partially attached to the skeleton  200 . The area where the skin  205  has detached and/or fallen from the skeleton  200  has exposed the ventilation holes  201 .  FIG. 27  illustrates four scenarios of the relationship between the increase of ventilation and the degradation of the skin  201 . Line  217  shows a device that starts with no ventilation and within three years 100% of the ventilation holes are open. Line  218  shows a device that starts with light consistent ventilation for the first 18 months and reaches 100% ventilation at 4.6 years. Line  219  shows a device that starts with heavy ventilation for the first 36 months and reaches 100% ventilation at 7 years. Line  222  shows the possible ventilation system that opens and closes as needed over the year taking advantage of the seasons to protect the plant or increase growth. A tightly woven mesh of thermally expanding fibers could be able to provide the ventilation shown in line  222 . The temperature decreases, the mesh contracts thereby decreasing the spacing between mesh fibers and decreases the airflow through the mesh.  FIG. 26  illustrates an example of a plant protector apparatus that had low ventilation when all of the cover was attached, but after a period of time has high ventilation due to the loss of cover material. As shown in  FIG. 16  the cover limits the air flow through the plurality of wholes, while in  FIG. 28  there are a plurality of holes through which air may flow uninhibited. 
       FIG. 28  illustrates the air flow that will occur once the skin  205  covering the ventilation holes  201  degrades. Air flow  208  shows the air entering the device and passing over air flow  209  creates a chimney effect as it passes over the devices open top. 
       FIG. 29  illustrates the skin  205  could be a net or mesh material  220  which the holes of the net/mesh material  220  are smaller than the ventilation holes  201 . This allows for permanent ventilation. The ventilation can be controlled based on the mesh or net hole size  221 . 
     While various embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.