This is the first year we have used a "flat fence". Our is currently about 50' by 100-110' by 50 '. We used the regular chicken wire 4' wide comes in a roll. We laid it out on a fairly flat area about 2 -3 feet away from the closest tree, strawberry section, sweet corn section and some grapes. We only use 3 sides since the unfenced area is within reach of the lead preventer from the the porch. Seriously, it seems that deer and raccoons do not like to walk across it. While the deer may jump a above the ground fence they do not seem to want to jump across the 4'. Maybe because they can not see what is there. Grass and weeds are problematic. We and just roll it over and mow then roll it back. There could be other solutions to larger areas with or without herbicides. Maybe just something to "burn" them down. Weeds and grasses do tend to push up the wire and it may provide areas that smaller critters could go under. Each application would have to be created for the individual situation. We are planning on expansion next year and will have to expand. Hope this helps and at least it is stimulating ideas. Just an interesting aside...we put out 2000+/- trees mostly hardwoods/pines) and 2000+/- shrubs on 30 acres last year. We were anticipating a lot of loss to deer and rabbits. What we have found is a loss of only about 0.5% to critters. We mow a path around the outer perimeter. Looking at the tracks the deer like to follow the path way across the property. Most of the deer damage is within a foot or so of the path. We have had a large influx of coyotes this year and the rabbits are not here to do any damage. We do not mow between rows of trees or shrubs. The other area is summer grasses and they are thick and do not seem to attract the deer. Tom In a message dated 8/4/2009 9:00:31 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, ed.fack...@gmail.com writes:
I'd also like to hear more detail on it. My gut reaction is that while it may well work, controlling or managing weeds could be troublesome especially on highly erodible soils (created by herbicides...). Therefore Mr. (or Ms.) T. Curl, would you please comment further on your "flat fence". Thanks. ed On Tue, Aug 4, 2009 at 8:13 AM, Bill Shoemaker <_wshoe...@illinois.edu_ (mailto:wshoe...@illinois.edu) > wrote: Sounds interesting. Could you describe what it is and how you think it works? Bill > I am aware that large orchards and geology of where > they are planted would play into it but has anyone > tried "flat fencing"? We used it this year and it > has kept out deer and raccoons. We used a > combination of chicken wire and the plastic snow > fencing. Seem they do not like stepping on it. At > least it might be less expensive than an electric > fence or could possibly be used in combination to > reduce costs. Just a thought. > > T. Curl > Fichthorn-Curl Farms > Ohio, USA William H Shoemaker, UI-NRES Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops St Charles Horticulture Research Center 535 Randall Road St Charles, IL 60174 630-584-7254; FAX-584-4610 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard <_http://www.virtualorchard.net_ (http://www.virtualorchard.net/) > and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon Clements <_webmas...@virtualorchard.net_ (mailto:webmas...@virtualorchard.net) >. Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent "official" opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for the content.
