Cherry trees are a favorite among gardeners, providing an abundance of red, juicy fruit to savor. Unfortunately, these beloved trees can quickly become a target for birds looking for an easy snack. Fortunately, there are several methods that gardeners can employ to keep birds away from the delectable fruit.
The most important step in deterring birds from feasting on your ripe fruit is to protect it from the start. Netting can be used to cover the tree and keep birds from eating the entire harvest. It is best to use a light-colored net so that it is easy to spot any birds that become tangled and remove them safely. If netting is not an option, covers or guards can be placed on each branch or even large pieces of plastic can be draped over the entire tree.
Adding some sort of motion to the tree can also act as a deterrent. Wind chimes, wind socks, and gently moving ribbons are all things that can help scare birds away. If you’re willing to make a bigger investment, there are even motion-activated sprinklers that use a sudden spray of water to startle birds, although this may only work as a temporary solution.
Perhaps the most effective way to keep the birds away is to provide them with an alternative food source. By putting out dishes of birdseed, bird feeders, and various other types of food, you can provide the birds with a tasty treat of their own, convincing them to focus on the food you have provided rather than the fruit on your trees.
Along with birds, other animals are attracted to the sweet smell of fruit as it ripens. Squirrels, possums, and even raccoons are all pests that may be tempted by your cherry trees. While birds can often be taken care of with the methods mentioned above, these other animals may require more drastic measures such as fencing or repellents.
In addition to repellents, there are other methods that can be used to discourage animals from raiding your trees. One such method is to make use of scare tactics. Scarecrows, motion-activated lights, and other types of audio or visual aids can all be used to help scare animals away.
Finally, it is important to remember that the cherry tree is a part of the garden, and that like any other aspect of gardening, it requires proper care and maintenance. Pruning, fertilizing, and ensuring that the trees are in good health can all help to ensure that they remain attractive to humans and not just wild animals.
Deterring Birds
The key to deterring birds from snacking on your delicious cherries is preparation. Using netting or a similar covering is the simplest and most effective way to keep birds away. Additionally, using scare tactics such as wind chimes, wind socks, and ribbons can be a successful way of discouraging birds from feasting on your fruit. If possible, providing a bird-friendly alternative such as bird seed and feeders may also help to convince them to look elsewhere.
Combating Other Animals
Unlike birds, other animals such as squirrels, possums, and raccoons are harder to ward off. Repellents and fencing are two popular methods of keeping these animals at bay, however, they may not always be practical or economical solutions. Scare tactics can also be used here, but one must be careful that these methods do not become too excessive or permanent, as the animals may become accustomed to the triggers.
Ensuring Tree Health
For the cherry tree to remain both attractive and productive, it should be given the same care as any other garden plant. Proper pruning, fertilizing, and overall health maintenance are all necessary steps to ensure that your tree is bearing a plentiful harvest. Proper care of the tree can also help to deter birds and animals from snacking on the ripe fruit, as an unhealthy tree is more likely to attract unwanted visitors.
Protection From the Start
Protecting cherries is all about preparation – prevent the birds from getting to the fruit from the start. In addition to netting or covering the tree, further deterrents can be used to keep birds away, such as motion-activated devices or an abundance of bird seed in the garden. Ensuring that the tree is in good health will help to discourage animals as well, and if necessary, repellents or fencing can be used to ward off creatures looking for an easy snack.
Making it Unappealing
The key to keeping birds and other animals away from your cherry tree is to make the tree unappealing. Motion-activated sprinklers and lights, scarecrows, objects that move in the wind, and boundaries such as fencing and netting can all be used in combination to discourage pests. Additionally, by providing the birds with an alternative food source such as bird seed, you can more easily convince them to focus on something other than the ripe cherries.
Other Considerations
Gardeners must also consider other potential disturbances that can keep birds from their cherry tree. Common culprits are loud noises or music, bright lights, colorful balloons, and reflective surfaces. Even humans themselves can act as a deterrent, so letting the birds know that there is still a human presence in the garden can sometimes be enough to make them go elsewhere in search of food.