pombazaar.com

Every year, my biggest pomegranate tree sets literally hundreds of fruit in the spring. And every year, without fail, I watch those fruit slowly disappear over the course of about a month until there’s none left. Even though this is an older tree about 20' tall, last year I had a grand total of one pomegranate. The only fruit I got was one I covered by a little 4" pot.

Why? Squirrels. They slowly knock off and nibble on every single fruit on the tree starting this time of year. They leave behind these little piles. It’s absolutely infuriating! I’ve had this tree for over ten years and I’ve only gotten a single fruit from it. What kills me even more is the other pomegranates around here don’t seem to have this problem: many of my neighbors have trees that are still loaded with fruit all the way into November. I just don’t understand why they destroy every single fruit on my tree when they’re still so underripe! Is it because of the retaining wall it’s planted near giving easy access onto and off of it?

For whatever reason, they’re extra attracted to my pomegranates and I can’t understand why. Sure I lose some figs to squirrels, but the majority of my fig losses come from raccoons. Why the heck do they go after just-set pomegranates that are hard and woody? I don’t understand!

Unfortunately, because I’m in the suburbs, shooting isn’t gonna be allowed. This area is pretty densely wooded, so I imagine the bastards will just be replaced by even more if I trap them. I’m really at a loss as to what to do. We do have a fence, but there’s so many overhanging trees I doubt adding electric wires would do anything to stop them. It’s really, really discouraging. Do any of y’all have ideas?

I would be beyond angry. My little trees have only been in the ground like 3 or 4 years and I'm champing at the bit for fruit, to have such a beautiful tree and get nothing truly sucks. Here's what I'd try:

I would take off all the lower branches until it resembles a single trunk tree for the first 4-5 feet. I'm not sure what yours looks like now, this might already be the case. Then I would get one of those smooth sheet metal cylinders that I see around palm trees here in CA to wrap around the trunk. Like you said, killing them isn't going to work in your situation, but if you can prevent them from climbing up the tree, that might do the trick.

I'm assuming they're accessing the tree from the ground and not a nearby tree/fence. You mentioned a retaining wall, so you'll have to cut the tree away from that quite a ways. This all sucks because you're losing some good fruiting branches, but lets say you cut the production by half (which is a ridiculous over estimate), that's 49 more pomegranates than you're getting otherwise.

Let me know if you think this might work, if not, I'll keep studying/brainstorming... I feel bad man.

I'm having the same issue here too on a wide scale. Last week a squirrel chewed down both of my two year olive trees and bit off every last shoot, chewed into the side of my prickly pear cactus, and has taken almost every breba fig in my yard that's grown this season. About two weeks ago I went outside and every pot was dug through..I have over 40 potted trees and not one of them were untouched. With all the money we spend to water and fertilize these trees it's becoming a huge year of loss. Every morning I see more damage, I think to myself, "Why even bother with this anymore?" I'd hate to kill them but I'm considering putting out rat traps to put an end to this. I'm really ticked off too.

Have either of you tried the chemicals animal deterrents? I did a little research and there a host of "solutions" out there, I wonder if any of them are actually effective...

I've tried repellents with no luck personally. I'm going to pick up one of those Havahart traps after work today. In my case it's only 2-3 squirrels that are tearing through everything so I'll attempt to catch and relocate them.

pombazaar, I think that Eykca's idea will help to keep them off your tree. Although, you mentioned a retaining wall. So, even with the metal 'baffle' - and trying to keep the lower branches at an 'unreachable' height - those little devils can jump! And they will get to the tree from the wall.

I think that the only way to absolutely save that fruit - is to net the trees. ? This may require some major pruning, because it is so tall . . . but it would still be worth it.

I used a 'deer netting' for the first time, this year . . . instead of that flimsy, aggravating bird netting. It is a lot more substantial and easier to work with. I found a big roll at Lowes. The brand is TENAX. The roll I got was 7' x 100' for around $50 bucks. We built a blueberry 'cage' using this and PVC. I like the cage idea, when using netting, because it keeps the branches and leaves from getting tangled in the net. However - you'd have to do some major pruning to build a cage that you could deal with, for that pomegranate! (It might be worth it though!) If caging is not an option - just getting on a ladder and throwing it over the top and sides could work.

I have also seen huge netting bags - for keeping bugs off of fruit trees. But squirrels would probably be able to chew through those.

I feel your pain. Babying your trees and waiting for those pomegranates is a labor of love. Good Luck.

Same issue here. No chemical deterrents help. The only way to protect the fruit I found is a few sloppy layers of bird netting making sure there are no gaps at the ground level (I use staples). Not is good, when the fruit is not ripe and the squirrels didn’t taste them yet. I leave some distance from the netting to the branches so they can’t smell the fruit too. From time to time you will have one get in but they are more scared at that point then damaging. I do this with my figs too.
The netting plus a number of traps seem to do the trick.

pomgranny wrote: Wed Jun 24, 2020 12:13 pm pombazaar, I think that Eykca's idea will help to keep them off your tree. Although, you mentioned a retaining wall. So, even with the metal 'baffle' - and trying to keep the lower branches at an 'unreachable' height - those little devils can jump! And they will get to the tree from the wall.

I think that the only way to absolutely save that fruit - is to net the trees. ? This may require some major pruning, because it is so tall . . . but it would still be worth it.

I used a 'deer netting' for the first time, this year . . . instead of that flimsy, aggravating bird netting. It is a lot more substantial and easier to work with. I found a big roll at Lowes. The brand is TENAX. The roll I got was 7' x 100' for around $50 bucks. We built a blueberry 'cage' using this and PVC. I like the cage idea, when using netting, because it keeps the branches and leaves from getting tangled in the net. However - you'd have to do some major pruning to build a cage that you could deal with, for that pomegranate! (It might be worth it though!) If caging is not an option - just getting on a ladder and throwing it over the top and sides could work.

I have also seen huge netting bags - for keeping bugs off of fruit trees. But squirrels would probably be able to chew through those.

I feel your pain. Babying your trees and waiting for those pomegranates is a labor of love. Good Luck.

How large are the deer netting openings? It seems they are large enough to let the rats trough, right? They are as bad as the squirrels if not worse

I think they are about ½" square. Not big enough for mice or rats. Bees, yes!

pomgranny wrote: Thu Jun 25, 2020 1:07 am I think they are about ½" square. Not big enough for mice or rats. Bees, yes!

Thanks! I will check it out