Richard  If squirrels are an issue, I'd like to suggest a ring of half inch chicken wire fencing around the base of the tree. then connect the perimeter of the  umbrella suspended bird netting to the top of the chicken wire .   I don't know what your chicken wire is made of but mine way too flimsy to keep a determined squirrel out  .  

I think I'll dub this either the: ABD   Anti-Bird-Dome    or the APD   Anti-Pest-Dome   (
lol  


Tim  (recovering academic)  Zone 10a

No offense, but I'm hoping shooting the squirrels will not be necessary.  I'm assuming that the bird netting will  look like the chicken wire, to the squirrel. So, they bite the bottom where the chicken wire is then give up.  Might even work for deer, if the chicken wire  is high enough

That said, it's true I show no mercy to gophers. Although, I once designed a humane live-gopher trap (which worked for a comparative color vision research lab) 


Tim   zone 10a

I use live traps and relocate them to the country and golf course. I have trapped at least, no exaggeration, 70 squirrels, 15 raccoons, 25 opossums in the last 4 years. Live and let live.....at least somewhere but not on my property. I have only 2 squirrels left and plenty of birds that do not bother any of my fruit, I keep them happy with feeders full of seeds and corn.

waynea, interesting that you feed the birds and they stay away from your fruit.  We live on the edge of wilderness, so there is an endless supply of coons, coyotes, possums and other assorted critters.  Trapping would be futile.  Happy it works for you!  Maybe I'll try bird seed..........

Suzi

I hear every word that you said Suzi, we do have panthers, coyotes, deer and bears but seldom see them. It takes a lot of bird seed. We have more problems with opossums, raccoons and squirrels than any birds. Actually we have binoculars to watch the birds. Right now is the season for goldfinches(lots of them), painted buntings, red belly woodpeckers, cardinals, jays, and pileated woodpeckers, oh yeah, also hummingbirds. Good luck.

I think a squirrel launcher makes an effective relocation device.  

Last year, the few figs I had were pretty much left alone (the limbs were chewed down, but the fruit was left behind).  I'd like to keep it that way.  I'm planning on netting my trees before the rodents figger out what's on them.  If that doesn't work, I'll hike up into the foothills and find me a pet coyote.

Saw this photo on the internet somewhere but can't remember which site it was on. I'm making some of these for my 3 raised beds but I'm thinking of making a couple extra to enclose my potted fig trees. I'm doing the same around my in-ground trees only I'm putting in 4'x'4 posts and chicken wire. I'm determined to get some fruit this year, dang it!

Wow!  That is a project!  What kind of screen is attached to the PVC?  or is there screen? 

I can't wait for our visit.  I thought we lived in no man's land, but I think you really do!  Wow! 

I can bring you lots of lemons, and maybe grapefruit..........

Suzi

Looks like poultry wire, very small holes.