It might be too other to claim a consummate and full victory — there are probably a couple more apart “ battles ” left to fight back . And I know the opposition may never wholly cede .
But that ’s all right . Because on the whole , I think my fencing material has finally allowed me to win the war against deer in my plantation .
Initial Invasion
The cognitive operation began in 2018 , when I plant a bevy of young plum and apple trees to serve as the foundation of a new orchard . The select locus was at the top of a gay hill , in an candid battleground beleaguer on three side by forest .
It ’s here where thesnow first meltsin the saltation . The primer coat warms quicker here than the surrounding lowlands . And I often see deer here , sometimes in herds of 20 or 30 , range on the brownish turf as wintertime transitions into natural spring .
cervid have roam in large numbers across my farm for eld . They make themselves at home plate in my garden and grove .
In the past times , the prosperous fruit trees have go their yearly wintertime prunings from the teeth of the neighborhood ruminant . But others just gave up the competitiveness , either from over consumption or from antlers scraping off bark .
register more : Learn how to practice graph paper when planning your grove !
The Battle Begins
Suffice to say , I was n’t about to let my new orchard become a preferred stomping ground for the local cervid universe . The first year , I put up temporary fence around every tree diagram , usingT - postsand welded wire to do the job .
The results pleased me . Deer still wander between the trees , but they could n’t actually attain them to inflict equipment casualty .
During the 2d year , I preserve to build temporary fencing around each new tree . I also start oeuvre on aformidable circumference fenceto wrap the entire plantation . Across the front of the orchard flying field , I used wooden post and welded wire to make an attractive entrance .
Then I ran black plastic deer fencing through the three forest position of the orchard . Iused trees as fencing postsin order to reduce costs .
learn more : Learn more about the author ’s early fencing endeavors against obtrude upon deer !
Fixing the Fencing
My perimeter fence performed sensibly well during its first winter . But an water ice violent storm have some price , and a cervid did get in at one point — I found the tracks .
So in year three , I cast my full attention into improving and strengthening the border fence . In any location where the fence sagged or suffered damage during the wintertime , I added T - C. W. Post . I reinforce the black plastic with welded wire and made certain everything was as strong and pissed as it could be .
And I also require a gamble . I planted over a 12 Modern Tree during the third year , but I did n’t erect temporary fencing around them . I resolve to trust my improved perimeter fence to protect them over the wintertime , when cervid seem most probable to part crunch fruit trees .
Success!
Fortunately , my drive paid off . My perimeter fencing perform attractively . It remain in perfect condition this spring .
No cervid have gossip my orchard through the first five months of year four . I ’ve gayly choose down all the impermanent fence around my Tree , unquestionably enhancing the esthetic of the untested orchard . Best of all , I can now use the piece from my irregular fencing to reenforce the perimeter fence and promote its strength to another level .
Hobby farmers , this call up for celebration ! Sometimes , the fight to protect our gardens and woodlet from animal and insect pests can be consuming . But as my successful defense demonstrates , it ’s potential — with enough time , effort and investment — to score an occasional victory .
