I can grow some decent fruit - apples, peaches, and pears - but the coons and possums get it all. I “remove” dozens of them a year - but it only takes a few.
What are your best varmint proofing methods for your fruit trees
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My greenhouse has been 100% bullet proof for 20 years against coons, fox, birds, hail, high winds, wasps, Mexican fruit beetles, and stink bugs. All of which outside ruin my fruit. You could even throw in rain which can be an issue outside for both tree and fruit.
My only other methods have been to trap and kill all the coons or build a cage around the trees.
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There’s only been 2 things effective against raccoons for me: electric fence or pruning them tall and putting sheet metal duct around the trunk so they can’t climb it.
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I made these hanging sheet metal tree guards to protect my cherries. Once the cherries are done, I’ll move them to the plum trees.
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That’s wicked. I like it.!
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How long of a piece of duct do you use?
I’ve been kicking this idea around for a few years and first tried it out last year.
I use wire mesh baskets that I make out of wire fencing to protect the truck from buck rubs. The wire is about 2x3" grids, and 3’ to 4’ tall. They are the best anti deer rubbing guards I have seen or used. Zero rubs since I started using them. I cut them from the roll and I end up with a cylinder thats around 12" in diameter and stands freely around the tree. 14 Guage galvinized wire. I’ve seen others here on this site using them too.
I have heavy pressure on my peaches, plums, and especially my Lodi apples.
My peaches will not be there if i dont protect them.
I had a Redhaven that was loaded and they started eating them before they were ready for me to eat. As usual.
I used some fiberglass electric fence post I had on hand, raised and secured the basket off the ground with them so they werent grounded. Usually took three stakes to get the job done. If I had an issue with the basket touching the trunk I’d insulate it with a piece of a pool noodle the grandkids had.
I’d drive a copper ground rod in that I’d cut in half so it wouldn’t stick out too far and put a small solar electric fence charger on it. Then energized the baskets.
Worked great. All damage stopped. It also “seemed” to send a warning to not touch the wire baskets as they bite. Didnt have any further damage that year, except the birds.
I think squirrels, racoons and opossums where the thieves.
I plan on using them on my Lodi and daisy chaining the charger between trees in the row with 12 guage electrical wire. They destroy my Lodi’s as I belive they ripen when nothing else is ready. 70+ apples in 2 nights. I got 7.
Sorry no pics at his time.
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Do you use multiple wire baskets on one run of wire or one charger and one basket. I would have to use solar charger. I like this idea
Each tree has an individual basket. Right now on 15x15 spacing in orchard.
I will daisy chain the baskets on the trees I want to protect. Might only be 3 or 4…hopefully in a row.
I use some old thhn 12 guage wire and go from basket to basket. It would be best to not beak the wire but strip it where needed. You can get connectors at the farm stores to make a good connection. Using thhn wire is best as then you can lay it on the ground. That way deer and the orchard worker, Me, doesn’t walk through it.
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Where did you get those spike stripes ?
It works?
Well done, thanks for the idea
Do you have pictures? Thanks
The sheet metal is 20 in. W. x 50 ft. Galvanized Steel Roll Valley Flashing from HomeDepot. I cut it to several different diameters. I have a better design in mind, but this was just prototype v1.
once the first one gets impaled, his friends can climb over his corpse 
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airsoft lead bullet that’s the only way
Jeeez
i really like possums…
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