Stone Fruit Net Applications

What follows are some suggestions on how you might protect your trees. These notes have been compiled after talking to growers. Views differ as to what is best. We don’t recommend all or any method, we are just trying to make the information that comes to us available to all. Please call us if you think you have a better way.

There seem to be five main ways of using net.

1. Application directly onto the trees

This is the simplest and cheapest method. All it requires is some means of getting high enough above the trees to apply and take off the net. Cherry pickers are often used. Some growers have made up a gantry on wheels that straddles the trees. The gantry is moved along the row and the net fed out behind it. A solid sheet of tough plastic can be towed over the trees behind the gantry to stop the net getting caught when it is being laid out. See illustration # 1. 4.

2. Tunnel Netting

Some grower believe that method #1 damages the net too much when it is being put on and taken off. They also assert that bats and birds can perch on the net and eat the fruit through it. In an attempt to get the net away from the tree a series of poly pipe hoops are bent over the trees and the net applied over the hoops. See illustration #2.

 

3. Triple Wire Cross

This method involves erecting strong posts at each end of the rows and stringing one wire above the trees and two more attached to cross arms placed about 1.5 meters from the top of the posts. See illustration #3. The net is only put out when the fruit is ripening. It is centred on the top wire and the two side wires keep it away from the tree.

4.Triple Wire With Spreaders

Similar to the above except the arms are not attached to the post but are only spreaders with both wires coming together at the end posts. Growers using this variation say there is too much pressure on the end cross arms that can't be properly braced to the ground. If the wires come together and go around the end post they can be stayed to the ground just like the top wire.

Another variation on this system allows the nets to be joined overhead by pushing them through a double wire strung on one arm. See illustration # 4. Because the arms are not fixed they can be tilted to lower the edge wires for joining. One of the wires from the cross arm - in this case the left - is a double wire. This wire will be used to join the panels of net.

The net is now run out over the first row using the "Net Wizz" netting applicator. At the edge of the block the net is fastened to the ground and run up over the left hand and top wire. Instead of going to the ground it is lead over to the double wire strung on the left arm of the next row. The next net panel is also pulled through this double wire and secured using cable or zippy ties.

Panels of net can now be joined in the same way across the block. Depending on row spacings wider net could be made to cover two rows using this method.

With all of these four methods it is advisable to fasten the net to the ground or join the nets to stop predators getting under the canopy.Some growers string a wire at ground level and tuck the net under to keep it on the ground, others tie the nets back to the trunk of the tree, and some simply use house bricks.

5. Fully Enclosed Canopy

Without doubt the best way to go if you can afford it and you are not worried about cyclones. The whole orchard is enclosed in netting with gates to get in and out. The structure must be properly designed because the pressures on it in strong winds are extreme. Contractors who erect hail net are a good source of information on this method. See illustration #5.