So we planted them in gopher wire, and they did good, and they get water on the drip system, but then one dies!  What?  How can this be?  It was OC unknown. 

Color me sad.  It's dead.

It's not the only one.  Delusional?  I thought "in ground," in the perfect climate would solve all.  Didn't count on the root eating gophers.

I have no wish list.  I fear I will kill whatever you send.

Suzi

I'm sorry your plants have been destroyed!! I feel your pain. My beautiful Australian finger lime was snapped into tiny pieces by a raccoon most likely. I have no idea what to do other,than put the plants in wire cages. Don't give up! Replant again. Hopefully we can outsmart these varmints!

Sorry about all the losses you're having Suzi . There's nothing more frustrating than all your efforts going to waste .
I get it because in the past just when the figs were getting ripe all the raccoons in the neighborhood would come by for a feast .
But your situation is worse because they are actually killing your trees .
I'm sure you'll figure out a solution .
Good luck .

John

What size wire mesh did you use for the gopher baskets?

If it is dead, pull it out and see if it is chewed.

I hate to pull it out just in case it comes back.  And I fear putting anything in it's place.  The basket is made of 1/2" gopher wire.  Much smaller than chicken wire. 

I may try a Moringa Oleifera there.  Too much of it's roots will poison a human, so I'm hoping any gophers munching on it might not make it, but since they dwell underground, it's hard to tell. 

There is a solar gopher/mole spike that covers 7000 sq. ft.  Evidently it makes the ground rumble and pests don't like it.  We may need a dozen of those.  Surely we can get this under control.  

I've driven all over this mountain and down in town and haven't seen one fig tree on anybody's property.  There is one, surrounded by pavement next to a nursery.  It's old, big and gnarly.  Black Mission, I think.

If we do pull it out, I'll take photos.  One down the hill from it (LSU Gold) is getting brown, curly leaves also.  Only a couple, but could be a sign of underground munching.  I don't think the gophers can enter the basket, but they certainly can eat any roots reaching out and beyond.

Suzi

Whatever happened to a smoke bomb in the tunnels?  Just make sure no nasty chemicals.

1/2" should bew good enough. Is the bottom sealed as well?

Yep!  All sealed!

Suzi