Home Spacer Sleeves & Collars

Rubberloc® Spacer Sleeves

From £0.90

Rubberloc® Spacer Collars

From £0.09

Spacers (Collars) or Blocks (Pads)
A block will cost around five times as much as a spacer and it is as well to give some thought to their respective merits and drawbacks. A block will hold the tree firmly to the stake and prevent lateral movement, but because the tree is locked firmly at the point of tie, slackening of the belt is occasionally necessary. Contrary to popular belief, rubber (unless it’s sponge) will not compress. Although its shape can alter under load. A strong rubber spacer will stretch as the tree grows and belt slackening is hardly necessary, but some lateral movement of the tree can occur. The ideal combination for the smaller tree, where maintenance is required to be minimal and cost is not critical, is a block with an all-rubber stretch belt (UR1 & UR2). A close second (and cheaper) is a reinforced belt and a good rubber spacer.