Attach bird protection net to the fruit tree

Bird feed can seriously affect the harvest of fruits on the fruit tree. Effective protection is provided by nets that are placed over the during fruit development Fruit trees be excited.

Adapt protective nets to the fruit trees when purchasing them

You can buy a bird protection net in the garden center or in the hardware store with a garden department. It is available in different sizes. Its purpose is to protect the fruit from birds, the ripening cherries or other things fruit peck or eat away completely. The nets are made of tear-resistant plastic that yields easily.

Before buying a bird protection net for the fruit trees, you need to estimate the approximate size of the crown of your tree. If you are not at all sure, you can carefully stretch a rope around the crown of the tree and measure it that way.

Divide the value by four. Bird protection nets are square. By re-tensioning the rope, you have determined one side of the square. Then you can get an appropriate bird protection net.

The mesh size of the safety nets is also important. A size of 25 by 25 millimeters is ideal. This size is used for cherry trees and other small fruits. These fruit trees require special attention because the fruits are a popular starling food. Plus, the size doesn't let smaller birds through.

In the case of larger fruits, such as plums or peaches, the width of the mesh may be larger. However, do not choose nets with meshes larger than 30 by 30 millimeters. The birds get through there too easily.

You should consider the following things when selecting a network:

• Measure the treetop.
• Take into account the mesh size of the network.
• 25 by 25 millimeters for cherry trees.
• 30 by 30 millimeters for other fruits.
• Choose a generous width of the net.

Protect the tree with a bird net

The bird protection net may only be placed over the tree when the bloom is over. Otherwise you would destroy the delicate flowers. These flowers must be pollinated by the bees in order for the fruit to grow. However, the bird protection nest would be a hindrance to pollination.

Since the starlings and other birds do not like the green fruits, it is sufficient if you span the bird protection net at the beginning of May, when the tree has finished flowering.

Use two people to stretch the bird net over the tree so as not to damage the leaves and fruits. Stand facing each other and hold the net in one hand at a time. Then gently pull it over the tree. If the crown is very high, you will need to use a ladder to help.

Make sure that all flowers and leaves are covered, because only then can the net serve its purpose. The additional installation of a scarecrow brings another benefit. Birds are afraid of people. If you make a human-like scarecrow, it will help drive away the birds.

Together with a scarecrow, a bird protection net offers very good protection against bird damage. Make sure you buy the mesh large enough and stretch it carefully. Leave the net on the tree until harvest. Your fruits are safely protected.