How to Stop Birds from Eating the Cherries on a Cherry Tree

Planting a cherry tree on your property allows you to produce your own fruit year after year. Unfortunately, planting the cherry tree is only the beginning of the process. The cherry tree will have predators, such as birds, that will try to snatch away the delicious fruit you are about to pick. There is a way to prevent this, however. You can set up a net that will still allow your tree to receive the sun and air that it needs, but that will keep those pesky birds from munching on your cherries.

You will need the following items:

Measuring tape
Ladder
Cherry tree netting

Follow these steps:

Step 1:

Use a measuring tape and a ladder to record the height of your cherry tree. Then have a friend hold one end of the measuring tape while you go all the way around the fattest part of the tree to record the circumference of the cherry tree.

Step 2:

Take your measurements to your local garden center, and purchase a cherry tree net (may also be called "bird netting") to fit your tree. If your local garden center doesn't have one, they should be able to order it for you. Or, order it online.

Step 3:

Remove your cherry tree netting from its package. It is best to do this next to the cherry tree so that you can begin to cover the tree immediately after.

Step 4:

Grab one end of the cherry tree netting and pull it up your ladder. Toss it over the top of the cherry tree.

Step 5:

Bring your ladder to the other side of the cherry tree, and then pull that side of the netting down. You could have a friend help you do this.

Step 6:

Check to make sure the netting is draped over all four sides of the cherry tree evenly. If not, make adjustments.

Tips:

You can secure the netting at the bottom with a few stakes, but it shouldn't be necessary unless you usually get strong wind storms.