Last fall Michael decided we needed to cover our fruit trees with netting to protect the harvest from the local wildlife, and after seeing similar techniques on fruit trees while on a trip to Okinawa, our collection of net bags grew. Now that the apples and plums are starting to ripen and the squirrels have begun showing an interest, Michael took some of the net bags and tied them around clusters of fruit.
The netting may not keep the insects out, but hopefully it will deter the squirrels and birds.
SharleneT says
I'm going to start collecting net bags from this point forward... my orchard should begin offering a harvest from at least one of the trees, next year, and I want to be prepared... thanks for a great tip... was going to pay an incredible amount of money for tree netting... thankyouthankyouthankyou...
Twitter: SolarChief
Andrea says
I'm so glad it was helpful! We're crossing our fingers and hoping for plenty of apples and plums.
Jenny says
Oh man! I wish I had found this post about 2 months ago. I lost everything from my plum and peach trees after the squirrels got to them. I'll be collecting these bags for now one. Thanks so much for an excellent idea!
Hwan says
I am having a similar problem with my backyard apple tree. Was your net-bag technique effective?
Yooni says
I'm hoping you know by now if this netting helped. Were you able to save your fruits with this method of netting?
Andrea says
Hi Yooni (and Hwan). The bags worked for a while, but squirrels are very persistent and they were eventually able to tear the bags. We are trying other methods, such as building chicken wire cages around the trees.