Deer vs. Apple trees

[kenmbz]

But somehow we have become the neighborhood zoo for smaller animals. Skunk, Racoon family, a pair of Foxes, Coyote, Bobcat, Badger all appear often on the critter cameras at the corners of the house, when we are away.

that would make an interesting petting zoo.
Do you find racoon going after the fruit trees?

 

[California]

that would make an interesting petting zoo.
Do you find racoon going after the fruit trees?

Probably. I haven't caught that on camera but we've had substantial crushed limbs high in the family cherry tree and attributed that to raccoons. Likewise, bark nibbled on young apple trees, maybe rabbits? But getting the deer out was the major improvement, they were destroying newly planted apple trees.

 

[not2old]

I read in my apple tree pruning book that the author uses watered down white latex paint to deter insects. I guess the bright white hurts their eyes. I do have trucks wrapped to stop rascially rabbits.

I remember that in the 1950's or into the 60's that I saw fruit tree trunks "painted" to about the four foot level. I was under the impression that it was lime that was used. FYI: at my age memories are unreliable.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I remember the gypsy moth invasion or the mid 70's, where people tried all sorts of way to stop them from eating all the leaves. Most popular was duct tape, wrapped sticky side out. Others had vasoline spread at the base of the tree. There were sprays, but an expense many could not afford.

 

[ponytug]

Whitewashing is an old, old technique. Whitewashing or white latex helps prevent sunscald, and some spring damage due to rising sap in cold days. It can also reduce insect pests as the bugs don’t have crevices in the bark to hide in and are visible to birds and predatory insects.

Solved! Why Are Trees Painted White?

Wondering why trees in your neighborhood are painted white? Like tree guards, white paint on trees offers protection from the sun and pests.

www.bobvila.com

Now if there was an anti-raccoon paint…

All the best,

Peter

 

[ning]

Now if there was an anti-raccoon paint…

Perhaps mixing in some capsaicin?

Quick search doesn't show a product, but anecdotally it seems to help sailors...

I have some ridiculous hot oil I got to put on our deck rails when our dog was chewing on them, it worked, but that was sprayed on after and not in the paint. I suppose you could paint and then spray. Wear a mask, don't wear contacts, don't touch your eyes... (<- self-warning I always ignore after cutting up peppers).

 

[Mtsoxfan]

To those who fenced in a few apple trees, I only have 4' concrete reinforcement wire. High high can I be off the ground and still be effective? 12", 18"? I have some hot sauce I no longer want to consume, I figured I'd mix in with paint to deter bunnies etc. While we do have tons of snowshoe hare up the road, I've never seen one around my yard. Only seen tracks in snow, deep in woods.

 

[Oaktree]

I remember the gypsy moth invasion or the mid 70's, where people tried all sorts of way to stop them from eating all the leaves. Most popular was duct tape, wrapped sticky side out. Others had vasoline spread at the base of the tree. There were sprays, but an expense many could not afford.

I remember a particularly bad infestation of them for a couple years in the early 80s. Nothing really worked to stop them. After a couple seasons they seemed to run their course.

 

[newkiotiguy]

To those who fenced in a few apple trees, I only have 4' concrete reinforcement wire. High high can I be off the ground and still be effective? 12", 18"? I have some hot sauce I no longer want to consume, I figured I'd mix in with paint to deter bunnies etc. While we do have tons of snowshoe hare up the road, I've never seen one around my yard. Only seen tracks in snow, deep in woods.

Why do you need to raise it up? I have the same 4 foot concrete mesh in 6 foot circles around the trees. Deer will not jump into something they can't get out of.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Thanks, I thought I read people on here were raising them up to prevent reaching over to nibble.