Cherries are usually among the first fruits in the garden. Unfortunately, it's not just us humans who find the red fruit very tasty, many birds also populate the tree and, in the worst case, destroy the harvest. Attaching a bird protection net around the crown of the tree helps against this. What this costs and how easy it is to install a net yourself is explained below.
Bird protection net criteria
A good bird protection net that meets the requirements can already be available online or in well-stocked garden shops. These nets are usually made of a tear-resistant material, such as plastic, and give way easily. They are also UV-resistant, so that even strong sunlight does not cause the material to become fatigued. The square nets must be tightly meshed and large enough to cover the entire tree canopy. The bird protection net for a cherry tree should look like this:
- square, measure length beforehand
- close-meshed, meshes of maximum 25 x 25 mm are ideal
- can also be smaller
- the net must be easy to move
- kind of like a light blanket or bed sheet
- this is the only way it can fit around the crown
Adjust network
Before purchasing, the circumference of the cherry tree's crown should be estimated or measured. The calculation of what size the network must be is determined as follows:
- Tighten the rope around the crown
- proceed very carefully when doing this
- otherwise the fruits will be injured and fall off
- divide the length of the rope by four
- a bird protection net is always square
- A side length was determined by stretching and dividing
- The width of the net should still be chosen more generously
An example calculation:
- measured a circumference of ten meters with the rope
- one side is 2.5 meters long
- 2.5 meters by 2.5 meters results in a square meter area of 6.25 square meters
It is then ideal to allow for a little extra and choose a net with 7 square meters. This way you can get the right net. For cherry trees, it is important that the mesh size is not more than 25 x 25 mm, as with larger meshes the birds could steal the fruit through the net. Even smaller birds have no way of getting through the mesh to get to the fruit.
Tip:
The measuring work should be done by two people, especially with larger cherry trees, otherwise it is not possible for a single person to wrap the rope around the crown. Another option, however, is to carefully tie the rope to the starting point and then measure the crown all around.
Right time
Of course, before putting a bird protection net over the crown of a cherry tree, the question arises as to when is the right time to do so. Already before budding, so that not so much is destroyed or at least later. The following should be taken into account when choosing the right time:
- Protect the cherry tree with a net only when the blossoms are over
- the flowers are very delicate
- would be destroyed when created
- do not plant before flowering
- because the flowers need to be pollinated
- the net prevents the bees from approaching
- a harvest would fail
- Birds don't like the green fruits
- these are therefore still subject to natural protection
- The beginning of May is the ideal time
Tip:
Of course, when choosing the right time, you also have to pay attention to whether the cherries are early or late. Therefore, the time for setting up the bird protection net can vary slightly from tree to tree.
Procedure for investing
When putting on the bird protection net, just like when measuring the crown with the rope, two people should work. Especially with large trees with a sprawling crown, many unripe fruits could otherwise be damaged and fall off due to the tearing and pulling. When creating the net, you should therefore proceed as follows:
- two people facing each other
- Take the net in one hand at a time
- carefully pull over the tree
- If necessary, use ladders for tall trees
- all leaves and fruits must be covered
- otherwise the birds will get into the tree from below
- the net should therefore reach up to the trunk
- here it can be attached around the trunk
- with binding wire or strings pulled through the bottom stitches
- no loopholes may remain
Tip:
If, in addition to the bird protection net, a human-like scarecrow is placed in close proximity to the cherry tree, this offers additional protection from the thieving birds. Because the smaller bird species are afraid of people. However, this does not apply to crows or ravens.
Remove bird protection net
The net is only removed again directly before the harvest. Here too, you should work in pairs and with great caution. The riper the cherries, the faster they fall when touched by the net. The bird protection net can then be cleaned with a hose and hung on the line to dry. Once it is dry and clean, it is carefully folded up and stored in the cellar or garden shed for next year.
Tip:
Since cherry trees are often attacked by lice, the net can also become sticky and dirty. Dust from the air or rain also gets stuck here. Therefore, it is necessary to clean the net thoroughly so that it can be used again for many years.
Costs
Bird protection nets for cherry trees can be easily installed yourself. Therefore there are no costs for this. In addition, the purchase of a net is for several years, as they are usually UV-resistant and can therefore be used for several years without cracking. When it comes to the nets themselves, the respective costs depend on what size they require. The bird protection nets are available in well-stocked garden shops, in a hardware store or in various online shops. The prices are as follows:
- Net measuring 4 x 4 meters costs around 5.00 euros
- the costs for this can vary slightly upwards
- These are also offered in stores for up to 50.00 euros
- added to this are the costs for the binding wire or a ribbon
- These are also within reasonable limits and usually no higher than 5.00 euros for all trees
All in all, buying a bird protection net is not very expensive, so several trees can be protected cheaply.
Tip:
Buying from a gardening store or hardware store is recommended. Here, too, there are inexpensive versions of bird protection nets, but the nets can be examined beforehand and checked for strength. This is not possible when ordering online when purchasing.
