Which benefit of using tree guards is not included?

Tree guards serve multiple functions in protecting young trees, particularly in preventing damage from wildlife and physical strain. One of the primary benefits is their ability to exclude deer and rabbits, which can cause significant harm to young trees by feeding on their bark and foliage. They also serve to reduce mechanical injury—which can occur from equipment, foot traffic, or other physical disturbances—by providing a protective barrier around the trunk.

Furthermore, tree guards are effective in mitigating damage from smaller rodents such as mice and voles. These rodents may gnaw on the bark or roots of young trees, and tree guards help to shield them from these threats.

Limiting competition with other plants, however, is not a function typically associated with tree guards. Instead, this aspect pertains more to the management of vegetation around the planted tree, where techniques like mulching or herbicide application may be relevant. Tree guards do not inherently reduce competition from other plants; they primarily serve to protect the tree from animal damage and mechanical injury. Thus, while tree guards offer several protective benefits, limiting competition with other plants is not one of their intended uses.