I have heard of a deterrent I could spray on the trunks with hot peppers . Is there anything that is not as severe ? I hear they can claw their eyes out . I am trying to avoid a covering , screen or fence . I also have squirrels digging at the roots. These are young Japanese maples . Trunks from 1" to 4" .
Wrap a piece of chicken wire round the tree. Makes claw-sharpening impossible, and the cats soon learn to go somewhere else instead. It only needs to be in place for a few days, or weeks at most, then you can take it off when the cats have got used to going elsewhere.
No. Window screen is delicate enough that cats can scratch right though it (even the metal stuff - I speak from experience).
As I have cats and fruit trees, I had the same problem. The quick, cheap, easy and effective method that I found was to use masking tape. I simply wrapped the tree trunks with the tape, STICKY SIDE OUT. I wrapped the trunks all over the lower areas that were within their reach and it stopped immeaditly. What Yucky stuff for their paws! As the tape is somewhat of a paper product, you don't have to worry about it girdling a tree. I also found that I finished a lot of crawling insects that were headed to the fruit source.
I just found a product that is a plastic grid with about 1" spikes. The are a little flexible, but strong enough to be a definite annoyance/deterrent without causing harm. I've put them in areas where cats would hide trying to catch birds. They seem to work, and I've ordered more...
shnphan, I am just south of you in Central Ill. and I have had terrible squirrel problems this year. They are climbing my small container trees and eating all the new growth off. I finally decided to try one of those motion sensors that shoots out water. That might work for you, mine has so far. I put all my maples in one area and set it up. Of course if yours are inground and all spread out that might not work for you with cats. If it continues to work for me, I might get more as deer deterents. It depends on how smart the squirrels are. Kay
Thanks for all the reply s . The chicken wire is in place . I have also been spreading ground cinnamon at the bases of the trees . I'll see .