fencing advice appreciated!

[twodogs]

We live in SW PA & deer can be a problem. We have a small orchard - or I should say that we are attempting to make one on our property. We started a few years back with about a dozen trees and I fenced them in with 4X4 posts & 5' welded wire. The total area is about 60' X 100'. It wasn't the best dimmension as far as materials, it just evolved into that size. Our garden is in that enclosure, and it helps to keep the groundhogs & rabbits out. As time has passed, we have decided to add more trees. This year we planted more in another area. I plan to enclose it - approximately 150 X 150. My concerns are primarily to keep the deer out, but I would also like to be able to plant another garden inside. Would you suggest a 6' welded wire fence once again? If so, how far apart would you suggest the 4X4 posts? Should I consider other materials? I am looking to learn from the experiences of others here. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[weldingisfun]

If you want to keep deer out, you better look at an 8 foot fence. That is what we do down here and in comparison to a PA whitetail our deer look like fawns.

 

[thingy]

The height depends on the deer I guess,a deer can clear a 6 ft fence without much trouble,,just depends on the deer. 8 foot would stop them,[well],,,,you could use the 6 ft woven wire and put 3-4 strands of barbed wire on top of it maybe,along with some pieces of cloth or something tied to top strand to wave in the breeze,,,,posts,,whatever treated post is cheapest,they sell round treated posts of different dia,,smaller ones would work except corners,,but don't know how long they sell them,,4x4 you can get plenty long enough,,,spacing,,maybe 10 feet? You could put a few bigger posts and cement them in on corners and spaced in the run to stretch to?,,thingy

 

[Bubba Tex]

DISCLAIMER...I have no financial interest in this company!!!

That being sais, I do have some of this fence on my property and have to have te rest of the perimeter done with more.

StayTite Fence Company - Manufacturers of Woven Wire Fences and Fencing Supplies

I'd also go with a high game fence to keep out those big PA deer. I think you can get it with a graduated weave size so it's critter proof at the bottom with a more open weave at the top.

 

[weldingisfun]

The height depends on the deer I guess,a deer can clear a 6 ft fence without much trouble,,just depends on the deer. 8 foot would stop them,[well],,,,you could use the 6 ft woven wire and put 3-4 strands of barbed wire on top of it maybe,along with some pieces of cloth or something tied to top strand to wave in the breeze,,,,posts,,whatever treated post is cheapest,they sell round treated posts of different dia,,smaller ones would work except corners,,but don't know how long they sell them,,4x4 you can get plenty long enough,,,spacing,,maybe 10 feet? You could put a few bigger posts and cement them in on corners and spaced in the run to stretch to?,,thingy

Definitely go with stout posts, like Thingy points out, at the corners and where you install your gate. But, you should be able to go with 10' T-posts, $6.25 at TSC Tractor Supply Company - STUDDED "T" POSTS , as intermediates, that would be less costly than using wood all around not to mention easier to install.

 

[Soundguy]

I agree... Heavy corners, and metal t-post. Especially since you are using a LD wire like welded wire.. it usually likes a support every 8' or so.. and doesn't stretch or tension nearly as well as woven wire. Throw a couple strands of gaucho on top and the 6' may do ya.

Personally I like to use wood corner, gate and brace posts.. and as it will be 150', it's optional as to use an 'H' brace in the centers.. probably get by without it.

Soundguy

 

[ToadHill]

When fencing out deer, remember they can jump a 8 ft. fence. If possible build it on an angle of 45degrees facing outward. They won't try to jump a fence constructed this way. This info was discovered by some experiments done in reforesting efforts, I thinkit was done at Cornell U.

 

[forgeblast]

8ft ish is what i used. I had left over livestock fencing and that is on the bottom with stone wrap(chicken wire on top). I used logs that i had cut down in the winter as posts and used gravel to back fill. It was pretty inexpensive. The total area for fencing was about 300' and i am already looking at another area to fence in.
If i was going to fence in part of my forest to keep the deer out i would use a trick a forester taught me. cut a 50' piece of 3' (stone wrap--chicken wire)fencing and make a loop out of it. set it where you want it. deer do not like being fenced in. and the 50' is about the max that you can do this trick but it really works for forest repair.
good luck
Forgeblast

 

[thingy]

How tall do those metal t posts come in? 6 ft? remember we are talking 8 ft tall fence here,,which means you'd need about a 10 ft or so post,,,even if they came 10 ft,,you'd need a ladder and a helper just to drive them,thingy

 

[czechsonofagun]

When fencing out deer, remember they can jump a 8 ft. fence. If possible build it on an angle of 45degrees facing outward. They won't try to jump a fence constructed this way. This info was discovered by some experiments done in reforesting efforts, I thinkit was done at Cornell U.

Now I understand why one of the neoighbours down the road has a fence like that. Thanks for the info, it will be useful one day I am sure.