@alan is the baffle expert… Alan what would you do to baffle a tree like that?
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Use better nets, i would like to see them rip a green American netting net. Branches rip out before it rips. I did rip one once, it got caught in my lawn mower. When removing it won’t rip either, as stated the branches will give before the net.
Maybe they could, but feel it would take too long, my dog may find them first. He is not always out, but if he is he goes for them. I also trained him to go after robins, but not sparrows.
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Why wait? Start now to reduce the population, and, find what works best to eliminate them.
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I was thinking why bother since I got no fruit to protect anymore. But i see your point. Will order a lethal trap next time I order from amazon.
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I hear they are expensive. But I will look into it.
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I built a cage with one, and it’s on it’s 4th season, they last, UV protection and all.
I keep my trees small so a 15x15 net works on any of my trees.
It is $16.95
I’m thinking of making a PVC cage around my raised beds using a 30x30 netting, that one is pricey at 56 bucks, still not too bad.
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I’d have to tie the scaffolds tighter together with string and make a huge cone, keeping in mind that they jump 4’. That is why I train them with a long trunk in my nursery- at least half the peach trees I manage are baffled although I don’t use them in my own orchard.
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Thanks for the link Drew. Prices aren’t too bad. But $20 for shipping? Ouch!
But I will definitely bite the bullet and get those for next season. Much better than getting heart broken because at the end of growing season not even one fruit for the kids. Whenever my almost 5 yr old wanted to try a peach, I kept telling her they are still green but will be ready around her birthday (August 24) they would’ve been if we could keep one on the tree for that long.
But next year looks promising already. Couple of my plum grafts growing like crazy. I keep pruning them and they keep growing. Right now well branched and about 4 ft long. I have a feeling they’ll fruit next season and hopefully ripe faster than Elberta. That way I don’t have to protect them for too long.
Okay i should post this now, it’s starting look like one of thecityman’s posts 
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Just thought of something else. On my way to work, I drive by a peach tree about 2 minutes from my house. Basically in the same neighborhood. That tree is loaded with peaches, last week they were all ripe (at least had turn red/orange) i was amazed that they had no issues with squirrels like I do. Tree had no baffles, netting or any other protection but was loaded with fruit. No squirrels seem to visit that tree.
Today I drove by the tree again and noticed that a lot of fruit had rot! I’m only two minutes away and I’ve never had rot on my peaches. It’s amazing that two trees so close to each other have so different issues.
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Susu,
Rot takes a few years to show up at a noticeable amount. Your neighbor’s tree could be a few years older than yours.
Squirrels are probably smart to go for good fruit than rotten ones. They have noses.
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Drew,
Squirrels in my backyard chewed through my green American netting. It hurts me more as the netting is expensive.
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No way does it cost that much! That does hurt, and not right.
I can’t say it will work for sure, but I believe it is the best net you can buy. I have 4 of them. Next time I will make sure to do a big order to lessen the postal blow!
I’m still using the one I hit with the lawn mower, it didn’t unravel or anything, only one corner is messed up.
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My wife took some to her office (she’s a Realtor) and left a couple on each of the other agents desks. Next day one of the agents texts her that it was the best peach he’d ever eaten.
I told her something to the effect of boy, he’s a politician. She’s like, well when he says it - that’s saying something beings he’s a chef. (The guy used to own a steakhouse here in town for years until he sold out and later began doing Real Estate)
Anyway after that conversation I was remembering some of the past peach threads (both here and over on GW) on how people in marginal peach country will carry on about a certain variety (probably Contender and/or Reliance) and folks in the heart of peach growing territory kinda smirk and are like… yeah you’ve not tasted a good peach at all until you’ve had this or that.
And I know that’s true too, it’s just that peaches for example aren’t as common here and like everyone says any tree grown are way better than most store bought.
So I don’t think these RH probably are the very best out there, but they’re for sure good enough for me, and are light years better than the ones in our stores anyway.
But I went off Olpea’s advice on most of the ones I planted and he always spoke highly of RH. If it’s good enough for Olpea, it’s good enough for me
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I agree. Olpea is my same go to source. He’s helped me considerably the past days.
I looked where you’re located on Maps and zoomed out and you and I are on a direct path to one another.
Thank you, Jerry.
Dax
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I added Red Haven, have to it was developed here, so of course! It’s the standard to compare all others. If another cultivar is better, you got something special.
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The reason they get away with charging that much for a bit of woven plastic is that there is zero competition in the U.S. for precut 30X30’ woven bird netting. Even 700’ rolls with a 30’ width have disappeared from the internet. I used to be able to buy them and cut off 30 ft sections for less than half of what American Nettings charged for pre-cut squares even when they charged less. If I trusted the Chinese sources from Ali Baba I might risk an order directly from China. Now I just ask customers to order their netting from AN because I’d have to charge too much to make a profit on their astronomical pricing or sew 15’ wide netting together. That width is available in rolls for the vineyard industry.
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@Drew51 and @alan does the netting from americannettings.com tear at all. The cheapo black monofilament netting tears when I try to take it off trees by myself. Just wondering how tough the American Nettings is? If you tried, could you tear it with your hands?
The website suggests it lasts 5 years. Drew you said you have been using it as a cage for your trees for 4 years. Does that mean it’s been outside the whole time? What kind of shape is it in after 4 years? Does it tear easily after 4 years?
Thanks.
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If I tried hard, maybe. it will strip leaves off a branch before it tears, it is the best out there.
I did tear one when the corner got under my lawn mower. I still use it, it does not unravel or anything.
Yes, never been inside anything (shed, garage etc). I have had birds trapped in it by going under PVC. Often forgetting and cannot get out and I send them alone their way to birdy heaven. 3 this year.
I suspect an opossum or coon could tear it up. It probably can be repaired by zip ties, as I use them to hold to the PVC. Is it perfect? No, it is the best available though.
Just 2 days ago I removed from my Arctic Glo tree and I stripped a bunch of leaves, as I was impatient and just wanted it off, no damage to the net. I have 4 of them, the 15x15 size.
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I have had tears in my Am Nettings nets. I think the blue Big Bugs netting is tougher, but I’ve had small tears in that, too
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My black woven polypropylene 30% shade cloth doesn’t tear or snag. I’ve got some over a nectarine now. It’s a bit heavy to rest on the tree but has worked well for me. The trees recover and need pruning anyhow.
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