[wannabesmallholder]

Could I have some comments on how successful you think either of these would be at stopping my small sheep (Ouessants) eating the bark on our fruit trees....

https://www.farmforestry.co.uk/tree-shelters-and-guards/weld-mesh-guards/preformed-weldmesh-guards

https://www.farmforestry.co.uk/tree-shelters-and-guards/mega-mesh/mega-mesh-sp-on-the-roll

Both of which would probably need staking, but they seem to also be suggesting the “mega mesh” can be wrapped around the trunk here, which might be easier and less intrusive/costly.....

https://www.farmforestry.co.uk/tree-shelters-and-guards/mega-mesh/mega-mesh-treeguard-wrap

Any thoughts? What height would I need? Am I delusional to think I can protect them at all?! Other option would be to give up on Ouessants and try Shropshire sheep, but I’m loathed to do that without “test driving” first!!

[farmers wife]

How thick are the trees?  Our trees are young so still have the  plastic tubex on them.  The larger trees we use either the mesh with stakes or fencing wire (we had tons of the stuff).  Better to do a good job.  The idea of the full mesh and stakes is that it protects the branches and the fruit. Sheep will decimate a fruit free and climb up.  All trees need protection from livestock.


1.2m height min and 1.6 - 1.8m stakes as they need to go in pretty deep. Don't mess with short stakes. Quality worth it as they snap or degrade over a couple of years.


Its worth doing it well we have a lot of trees over 2,000.  All sheep will kill trees so breed not an issue.

[juliem]

I wouldn't take the risk myself...it only takes a few seconds for one determined animal to do the damage.The only resilient solution is those wooden cages that the NT build....they have them at Berrington Hall Herefordshire....last a lifetime..expect they use volunteer labour to build them...look very good .They do take up a lot of pasture though.Will try and find a picture...

[SallyintNorth]

Four fence posts about 2' from the tree, and stock fence around, is what English Heritage used on their ground that we farmed on Hadrian's Wall.  Effective, not too intrusive into the ground or the view.

You do get grass and weeds inside the enclosure though, so then the sheep stick their heads through the fencing to eat that.  . So if you make your own, make sure you tension the fencing well : tight stock fencing usually doesn't cause many issues; it's the stuff which flaps which causes the most damage to sheep and their ears tags.

[henchard]

I use some of those and they will stop some sheep eating the trees BUT they don't stop sheep rubbing on them (a stake won't hold them enough) and then damaging the trees nor will they stop determined sheep even putting a hoof on them and clambering up
The only real solution (as Sally has said) is 4 fence posts 2 to 3 ft from the tree with wire around.