Netting Fruit Trees and Berry Bushes

edible trees & shrubs

netting fruit trees and berry bushes

Many fruit trees and most berry bushes (blackberry, black/red current, loganberry raspberry, strawberry etc...) will have to be covered with nets to protect them from birds as the fruit ripens. Here's a few tips on using bird netting.

types of netting

White netting on loganberry bushes.

Phot of black bird netting on an irrigation pipe frame.

Black netting over strawberry plants. The frame is made out of 19 mm irrigation piping.

There is a large range of bird netting of different colours and weights used by commercial growers but what's widely available at local Australian nurseries and hardware stores usually boils down to just two choices. Heavier woven hexagonal mesh white netting or lighter diamond mesh nylon black netting. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

White netting

The main advantages of white netting are :-

A. It's heavier than the black netting, so it doesn't blow around in the wind as much.

B. Tears less easily.

C. Deters birds more effectively. For some reason birds seem very reluctant to get under the white netting while if there is even a small gap in the black netting they will readily go through.

D. It is cheaper than the black netting.

black netting

The main advantage of black netting is that it is less visible, so it can be more pleasing to the eye. And because it is so light it can be thrown over much lighter frames. But it is more expensive, tears very easily and blows around in the wind more. For these reasons I now only use the white netting.

Using bird netting

Photo of bird netting covering a branch.

Netting covering individual branches of a large plum tree.

Photo of pegs used to draw bird netting edges together.

Clothes pegs used to draw the edges of the net together underneath a branch.

Using bird netting is easy, but here are some pointers that might make it a little easier for you.

A. It' best to prune your fruit trees to no higher than the height that you can spread the netting over the top of the tree without having to get up on a ladder. Having to use a ladder considerably slows down the job of putting on and taking off the nets.

B. Consider Summer Pruning your fruit trees to reduce the number of branches you have to throw the nets over.

C. If the tree is a little high use a pole as a prop to lift the net over the top of the tree.

D. If the tree is too large to throw a net entirely over it then cut your net into smaller pieces and wrap individual branches.

E. Use clothes pegs to draw the edges of the net together under the branches. This makes it harder for birds to fly up from underneath.

F. Make sure you do not leave the nets on for longer than necessary as young shoots will eventually grow through the netting, making it very difficult to remove without tearing it.