Fruit Trees for new plot.

[the blur]

I brought some fruit trees to develop my plot.    I need to keep the deer out of my plot until it develops into something substantial.      Is there something other than a high fence that will keep deer out ?

[NYBowhunter]

I build cages around each tree 4-5 feet high, held in place with stakes and zip ties.

[philoshop]

A good friend used to string monofilament fishing line around his vegetable garden. For whatever reason it seemed to keep the deer away, but it made mowing a pain. My folks are hanging chunks of Ivory Spring soap from their fruit trees and that seems to be working as well. My brother has aluminum pie plates hanging from the branches of his trees so that they bang together like wind chimes.

It's going to be difficult to have a food plot to attract deer and at the same time try to keep them away from your trees.

[growalot]

Are you talking trees or the entire plot?

Edited July 19, 2017 by growalot

[the blur]

I'm planting fruit trees this season.   Then next season, I'll plant around them with  .... something attractive to deer.

[growalot]

For  trees,you need rodent barriers first...so either bs or hard ware wire "cages" thenyou can get a 100 ft roll of wleded wire to make a big cage around thtreesajchored with  fencing post or rebar rods. This to keep the deer at bay..

Now as for the plot go to Growing deer TV and look at how they fence off their plots.

[sailinghudson25]

Rabbits can eat the base of the tree's bark, mice too.   Deer attack the buds.

 

Fencing is best......

Look up the proper way to put fruit trees in.  Have a little peat moss to mix in.  Don't be tempted to add fertilizer to the soil.  If you do a very small amount, like a tablespoon or two per 5 gallons of soil.  I'd not dig deeper than you need to.   Leave the tree slightly higher in the hole.  Then cover with mulch, but do not have the mulch touch the base of the trunk.

Buy some clover to seed up the spot right around it.  I like dutch white around trees and shrubs.

No fence, they'll all be dead....   Critters are brutal on new fruit trees.  Toringo crab apple and plums are great.   You can find new shoots in the wild too. 

NYSDEC is an awesome resource for shrubs and young trees.  They have a plant sale in april.  Most if not all county soil and water conservation districts sell shrubs in april, but also the DEC delivers your order to them for a few bucks more.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/9395.html

If tempted to go this route, spray the spots dead now and plant that dutch white clover where you want them.  Be much easier to manage........

Don't be a dummy like me and plant them a bit closer than they advise.  Now I can't fit the tractor between the rows and have to hand mow........

 

 

[growalot]

Ahh the kindle....Ok...rodents equal tree tubes or 1/4 " hard ware cloth. Plus the fencing for deer  TSC has 100 ft on sale for 69 dollars a lot during the year. Plus 10%off coupons for entire purchase. This is for the trees...go to the growing deer tv site for fencing a plot.

Edited July 20, 2017 by growalot