Question

Don't laugh, , , but, , , would it be OK to use lightweight net curtains to protect my fruit trees?  

Answer 1

What about birds being trapped

Comments

@raindrop they are old plain nets with no holes or heavy lace, I wouldn't even think about using them if I thought they would be a danger to any wild life,  

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@denitrify I've seen these.  

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@raindrop got loads of those already, 4 for £1, pound land  

Answer 2

Not sure you could try it and see but you might be better buying special net as net curtains might not let enough light in to the flowers and fruit.  

Answer 3

Yes if it's to stop them pinching your fruit when it's ready but it won't stop the wasps.  

Answer 4

Can't see why not, don't know how durable they'd be in the weather but worth a shot.  

Answer 5

My Nan always used old nets

Answer 6

Not laughing, as it may be a good idea, however it could be devastating to birds who might get trapped and die a slow horrible death. I understand you don't want to lose any fruit but is it worth the cost to wildlife.?  

Comments

@orjonikidze Yes, I second that, it's a tricky one but some birds do get trapped.  

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@orjonikidze they have no holes in for wildlife to get stuck in, I wouldn't use them if I thought there was a risk to birds ect

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So happy to hear that @denitrify, I have a real soft spot for birds and wildlife, even though the little dears are eating me out of house and home. Lol. X

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How big are the trees

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@albin30262 only young, 7 foot at most, not going to let grow above 10', why?  

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@denitrify u can u net if trees are young. Cuz the net may get stuck on branches and rip. Amazon has netting for fruit tree's.  

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@albin30262 thankyou, but wherever possible I try to re use, rather than buy new

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No, net curtains don't trap birds. Maybe you're thinking of lace.  

Answer 7

Can’t see why not ?.  

Answer 8

Yes we use them

Answer 9

I use net curtain

Comments

@lei12688 fruit flies . And slugs  

Answer 10

Way, way back, and long before there were garden centres and plastics, many gardeners used old net curtains with a good degree of success.  

Answer 11

Net curtains don't trap birds; that's a good reason to use them, and it's why many people choose them over netting.  

Answer 12

If you do, tie it down well. I've once found a hedgehog that got stuck in netting and almost strangled to death. I removed all netting from my garden and also advise people to not use it, you don't want to see something like that in the morning.  

Answer 13

Fleece is only @ £1 at bnm etc.  

Answer 14

Always use nets on my cherry tree and current bushes.  

Answer 15

Make sure the birds etc really cannot get it.  

Answer 16

YES I need to cover mine before the birds get the buds

Answer 17

Yes its as good as horticultural fleece x

Answer 18

Net curtains were used to stop birds/wasps eating ripening fruit - no need for it otherwise - if and when you get blossom on the tree and frosts are forecast, the old fashioned method was, small fires would be lit under tree to keep temperatures up - then you could use nets again to protect.  

Answer 19

Why? I’ve got apple trees, what are you protecting them from?  

Answer 20

I use net curtain over my strawberries

Answer 21

My dad used to cover his with mum's old nets. Thinking about the luscious fruit he used to grow. blackcurrant, redcurrants, loganberries, raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries. all out on the allotments and just yards from the back gate.  

Answer 22

Net curtains over Cherry trees, apparently Aphids love Cherry trees.  

Answer 23

Would love to see a photo of netting on the fruit trees/shrubs so that I can copy it  

Answer 24

What a good idea

Answer 25

I use them to protect vegetables in my raised bed. I buy in IKEA use them on my windows then the garden.