OK, I'm getting ready to order some trees from the NYS Nursery to plant on my farm. I have done some research and I am going to use some tree shelters. For a long time I was going to use Blue-x shelters from growtube.com but the other day I found shelters at treepro.com . Has anyone had any experience, either good or bad with either of these products. The Treepro.com website says that ventilation in the tube is very important, and I don't think the growtube.com tubes vent. Any opinions/thoughts? Next, I have heard that you should put some fabric or mulch around the base of the tree to keep the weeds down and moisture in. I was thinking that a few sheets of newspaper might do the same thing. I would be biodegradable, readily accessable, and free. if not, my local highway department has free mulch avaialble, but it hasn't composted yet, just chipped christmas trees and yard debris. any thoughts on the benefits or drawbacks of using this mulch. Your comments are appreciated. I could also do a little of my own research, and do it myself, but if I can avoid it, I don't want to reinvent the wheel. Thanks.