Johnafree Apple Trees

[Ridgerunner]

To keep deer from eating my trees I drove some four feet long 2x2's (Ripped 2x4's) into the ground and then wrapped wire mesh around them. You are defending against horses though, not deer.

 

[ducks4you]

I could wrap them with chicken wire. I have a big 4ft wide piece rolled up outside next to one of my out buildings. Thanks for showing me this! I really didn't want to roll out and cut the leftover cattle fencing. This is MUCH easier!

 

[ducks4you]

Happy to report that my stakes are hardening up. Should be able to cage them with chicken wire tomorrow. I am convinced that the horses won't run them over. Each of them would have a hard time running through the stakes, much less running over the trees!
I noticed that one of my trees was planted too low, since I don't want the root stock to grow, so I flooded the hole and pulled the sapling up to the right spot, 4 inches above ground level.
On another note, EVERYBODY can find Someone to justify their gardening:
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/distance-plant-semi-dwarf-fruit-trees-apart-42830.html
10-12 ft planting apart for semi-dwaft fruit trees, AS LONG AS you keep up with the pruning.

 

[Smart Red]

Good choice with the Johnafree. It is one of my most proliffic fruiters.

 

[Collector]

@ducks4you those bare root trees will grow better than any tree in a pot or b&b would. We switched to bare root for all our trees a dozen years ago and have not lost a tree using them. We planted six bare rootfruit trees here in 2017 and all but one had fruit on them last year. We also cage them like @Ridgerunner trees but used 2”x4” welded wire in place of chicken wire. Planting bare root is the best way to go, you will be happy with them for sure.

 

[Ridgerunner]

That actually was not chicken wire, it just looks like it as it was manufactured by twisting instead of welding. I got a 150' roll at Tractor Supply for about $150 many years ago, not sure they still carry it. It was called "no-dig kennel fence" or something like that. I don't remember the gauge, reasonably heavy as it was designed to house dogs. 5' high. I used that same stuff to fence in my 50' x 75' garden.

 

[ducks4you]

I think I will still use chicken wire. I have a LOT of it. Maybe I will wind around 2x instead of one. I have to protect my horses, too, and there isn't a possible accident that Some horse won't get himself into! No hoof will go through the chicken wire, but my roll of fencing has 4 inch squarish holes. Thanks, anyway!!

 

[bobm]

I think I will still use chicken wire. I have a LOT of it. Maybe I will wind around 2x instead of one. I have to protect my horses, too, and there isn't a possible accident that Some horse won't get himself into! No hoof will go through the chicken wire, but my roll of fencing has 4 inch squarish holes. Thanks, anyway!!

Ducks ... you state that "no hoof will go through the chicken wire " ... well I have seen some pretty gross results with horses putting their hooves through chicken wire ( very flimsy so very easy for a horse's hoof to go right through it and make some nasty cuts / sever vains and/ or arteries ) as well as from other wire fencing as well as barbed wire , not to mention board fencing ( large splinters can impale into the side and into muscles an/ or vital organs), on the Vet.Pathology floor for necropsies . Not pretty at all !

 

[ducks4you]

I will take my chances, @bobm. I will make the wrapping tight and go around twice. Thanks for the warning, anyway. I do appreciate your concern.

 

[ducks4you]

Every time I plan, time marches on! I got most of one tree caged in yesterday. Won't be able to get back to it until tomorrow. I will take pictures.