North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Bruce Hansen" <brucehansen@acd.net>]

Del:

I used 10' posts on 12' centers and strung field fence for the first 4' and
deer netting for the next 4'. I built the gate out of 2" pvc covering with
deer netting. Works just fine. I covered about 1/2/ acre with this. I have
my original orchard with about 30 trees on EMLA 7 and seedling stock. The
deer trim up about 4' leaving me with the next 14' to 20'. Plenty of apples,
plenty of wood.

Bruce z5 MI

-----Original Message-----
From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org]On Behalf Of del stubbs
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2003 3:22 PM
To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [NAFEX] deer fence cost


My one acre orchard is now fenced. Having limited funds for the orchard
project, I did not go for the 'proper wildlife / deer fence '. Here is my
compromise to date. Last fall I put in 8' steel T posts on 20' spacing,
bottom is 4' field fencing, top is electric wire. Cost $335
36 T posts @ $3.30         = $120
4'  Fencing     x 800'       = $175
1 mile wire and connectors = $40
4 cedar corner posts, salvaged
total                                   $335
Not included is the fence charger - as it was already in use and is an
expensive remote solar type ($160), if it wasnt already there I would have
gone ahead and spent the money instead on a second layer of 4' fencing.
Those figures would look like this
36 T posts @ $3.30         = $120
4'  Fencing     X 1600 '             = $350
hose clamps                  = $30
total                                = $500
I wish I could buy T posts taller than 8' (which give above ground 6'6")
This winter not a single deer entered - even though my orchard was a
favorite eating spot. The real test is, of course, when the apples begin to
bear, hopefully within a couple years
(it is mostly on seedling rootstock). All I have figured out so far to get
the fence to 8+ feet - is to fasten cedar 2x2's to the top with stainless
hose clamps. Using the theory that above 4' a fence is mostly a visual, than
physical, deterrant. I may get by with just adding another couple rounds of
wire, perhaps old barbed wire to be more visible.
A 4 acre plot is of course not 4 times the cost of one acre, as its
perimeter is only double that of one acre.

Del Stubbs  www.pinewoodforge.com  ag zone2/3






_________________________________________________________________
Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail

_______________________________________________
nafex mailing list
nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
Most questions can be answered here:
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/nafex
File attachments are accepted by this list; please do not send binary files,
plain text ONLY!
Message archives are here:
https://lists.ibiblio.org/sympa/arc/nafex
To view your user options go to:
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/options/nafex/XXXX@XXXX (where XXXX@XXXX is
YOUR email address)
NAFEX web site:   http://www.nafex.org/