Fruit tree netting is something I had never used or considered using until this year. I had experimented with nylon apple maggot barriers before with moderate success, but their application is quite laborious and time-intensive. Now that I have tried tree netting I will never go back. The process of netting a tree can seem intimidating at first, but with proper planning and the right supplies, it is an excellent way of protecting fruit from pests such as apple maggots and coddling moths, as well as those pesky crows and squirrels.

Measuring and Preparation
The first step is to make sure that you will have enough netting for the tree (or part of the tree) that you want to cover. The netting available at Swansons is 17.5 feet wide and is sold by the foot. I started with an 18-foot length, giving me a roughly square piece of netting. However, by the time my apple tree was covered, I wished I had given myself a little more to work with. To determine the amount of netting to cover your tree, measure the height of the tree starting at the lowest branch and its width at the widest part. Then, add the length and height together and multiply by 2. This will equal the minimum length you need for a square piece of netting.
It’s important to wait until your fruit tree has finished blooming and the petals have fallen before netting your tree. You want the bees to be able to pollinate so you get lots of fruit! Before wrapping your tree it is also a good idea to finish up any last-minute work on the tree, such as pruning and fruit thinning if you wish to do so. I cut off all but one apple per cluster on my tree because I want fewer, larger apples.