cheap deer exclusion cage needed

[Mitch]

After watching my deer density increase over the past year they have seemed to take a liking to the tops of my fruit trees. My trees are tubed, but the tops are now out of the tube and the deer visit them regularly. I need a plan to keep them off. Trying to keep it cheap and wanting to know what works for everyone.

Mitch

 

[j-bird]

Most folks use wire mesh used for concrete or old woven wire fence. I use a few "T" posts and any sort of wire fencing I can get my hands on that is reasonable. When I plant container trees I plan on spending about just as much per tree to protect them.

Weed fabric on the ground, and then a layer of stone, gravel to hold the fabric to reduce weeds but allow moisture to move thru. I set at least 1 "T" lost or more to secure the wire fence to. I like to use something that is or will be at least 5 feet tall. I have seen some folks use 3 feet tall and just wire it to the posts 2 feet off the ground. Add a wire wire mesh tube around the trunk of the tree at ground level to keep rodents from chewing off the bark - this needs to be tall enough to account for your typical snow fall as these critters can set on the snow and eat your tree. I make my outer cage roughly 5 or 6 feet in diameter - if your trees are not branching you can go smaller. Just some quick math - the length of flat fence you need is roughly 3 times the diameter you want it. Use wire to close the cage and to retain it to your "T" posts.

 

[Diamond hunter]

Electric fence does it well.Super easy to do and its one big cage.I also think its cheaper than those cages once you buy the wire, 2 t posts per tree,weed fabric ect.The electric fence allows you to get up close to your trees and prune,clear weeds,collect fruit ect.

 

[Mitch]

I have considered doing one big cage. I'll definitely consider that as an option.

 

[M. R. Byrd]

I use concrete remesh. What is common here is five foot wide and the mesh is 6"x6". Makes it easy to count off the squares to get the circumference you want. I cut the wire in the center and this leaves a tag end to wrap around and make the circular cage. I then use rebar ties to attach to t-post.

 

[Jack Terpack]

The cheapest thing I've seen is using old pallets. A friend picks up old pallets at a company and then stand three of them in a trianble around his trees. He uses old coat hangers to wire them together. Last time I was at his property, he had about 60 trees protected that way. Plus, as they rot they provide soil amendments.

 

[Mitch]

The cheapest thing I've seen is using old pallets. A friend picks up old pallets at a company and then stand three of them in a trianble around his trees. He uses old coat hangers to wire them together. Last time I was at his property, he had about 60 trees protected that way. Plus, as they rot they provide soil amendments.

I would assume that would provide some shade to the ground at the trunk too...keeping it from drying out faster than the ground with direct sunlight....?