Netting Mature Cherry

[MrsHippo]

Hi guys,

Hope someone can help...

Moved in to current house last year and we have a mature cherry tree. Last year I waited and waited until they were ripe and one day I went out and they had all been pinched by the birds.. I knew it would happen but wasn't expecting them to ALL dissapear so quickly!!

This year however, I want to protect them. Well, not all of them as it'd be too difficult for me. I was wondering whether I could possibly wrap netting around a few branches rather than over the whole thing. Or do you think that would cause problems with birds if they were to sit on it? We already have cherries developing so I'd like to start protecting them asap.

Hope that makes sense

Thank you xx

[Bren In Pots]

You could make small net bags and protect a few cherries because if you've got loose netting birds will get trapped in it.

[ugley_matt]

I'm going for the cover the tree in CD's approach. So far seems to working and when the sun shines its like a disco in the front garden.

[Kirk]

Covered a few branches and did get some cherries from them, tree is about 18-20 foot or a bit more
No bird ever got trapped or stuck, just annoyed they could not get to them.
Biggest problem was getting the netting out later in the year.
Eventually I gave up and just let them eat wahtever.
The birds are very efficent at eating them.

[Ja9]

Thank you for posting this, was thinking of doing the same. Our cherry tree is still smallish but now too big to net the whole thing safely. The birds have had the cherries the last 2 years and seem to sneak in at the frist hint of ripening.like the cd idea!