Stolen cherries

[greenishfing]

We have a quite large Morello cherry tree. Usually a percentage of cherries get stolen by birds. I don't mind sharing (within reason) and usually have a quite "laissez faire" attitude to the thefts. This year however every last cherry has gone!!!!
I don't want this to happen again next year. Any ideas? My first thought is to prune it right back so that I can possibly throw a large net over it next year.
I would rather cut it down /dig it up and use the space for something else than get nothing off it.
I don't want to be deliberately cruel to the birds but I want some cherries myself.

[veggiechicken]

Can't help you - I've never managed to eat a cherry from my trees for the same reason.

[Nicos]

If you cut it right back you probably won't get cherries off it for a few years. Well....mine didn't flower at all for a couple.
Then the frost hit the blossom other years....
I tried netting a smaller tree once only to watch a jay climb up the trunk and under the netting Also the growing tips grew through the netting which ended up in the bin as it was a matter of sacrificing the tree or the netting
(Darn thing just sat there munching it's way through the cherries as it couldn't easily get out.)
In 12 years we've only had 2decent crops.

I'd be interested to hear any success stories of how to protect the

(I also have to contest with tourists pinching them off the lower branches too...pah!)

[greenishfing]

Well, now I'm fed up, this doesn't sound promising.
Options so far:

1. Cut tree down. At least cherries won't get stolen. (Probably nick strawberries instead).

2.Call 999, tell them I've got thieves disguised as blackbirds in my tree. ( Probably get a full SWAT squad trampling my crops)

3. Try and get Morris dancers or local brass band to practice next to tree.

3. Give up (not an option).

4. Get a big bird of prey.

5.Encourage lots of cats and put food up the tree for them.

There must be other ideas. How do orchards grow cherries commercially?

[Small pumpkin]

Can't help you - I've never managed to eat a cherry from my trees for the same reason.

I’m with VC. And I don’t have a problem with it.
In fact I’ve taken cuttings so I’ve got a cherry tree in my new house for the blackbirds.
I liked that I’m going to say that again......my new house

[Jungle Jane]

You can buy or make long net arm sleeves for the branches,there’s a thread somewhere where someone mentions the width but you could measure?

[Jungle Jane]

This is the sleeve thread with measurements etc -
https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...ves_96599.html