Growing fruit trees in a hay field setting is often different than say a mowed lawn.
Much more habitat for voles and things in tall grass.
Of most important is mowing the whole area as short as possible in late fall. Blowing grass clippings away from the trees at that time. Not leaving any areas of tall grass or piles of cut grass anywhere near trees for a distance of several feet.
The bigger area mowed short the better , in regards of removing habitats for voles .
Think” putting green short” by Halloween /thanksgiving.
May require weed eating to the dirt , and raking debris away from trees . Normally if it’s that short they will go elsewhere for the winter.
Aluminum window screen can often be sourced from a scrap yard at a very reasonable price.
Making tubes at least taller than the graft , or up to the first scaffold. Big enough to allow the tree to grow , ~6 inches or so diameter.
The bottom of the screen Buried in the equivalent of a 5 gallon bucket worth of Pea gravel ,the round stuff ,mounded around the base of the tree , they can not tunnel through pea gravel.
So helps keep them from tunneling around the roots , and keep them out of the screen.
I have used this method on larger orchards with good results.
Installing perches for hawks / Owls can help ,Tall poles with cross bar. Standing dead tall trees around the perimeter Are good perches .
Rabbits usually require hunting with good dogs .
I feel your pain , frustration. !
Main thing is mowing short in the fall. Remove habitat near trees .
3 Likes