Disclosed is a protector for protecting an upper part of a sapling from pests. The protector has a generally conical barrier and a secondary barrier disposed around an axis, and an axial aperture extending though the protector. The conical and secondary barriers diverge with distance from the axis. When placed over and around an upper portion of a sapling, the protector provides a barrier to pests and may prevent or reduce the number of pests which are able to access the upper part of the sapling. A lower part of a sapling may be protected by protection means such as a net guard extending to, or through, the axial aperture of a protector disposed around the upper part.
