How to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Fruit Trees Once and For All, According to Experts

Squirrels love fruit trees not only for their sweet produce but also for the essential nutrients, seeds, and nuts. So how should you keep these critters out of your trees?

The various solutions can be a bit complex, but with the right steps, you can pursue humane strategies to deter these animals and keep them from harming your plants. Here, we spoke to gardening experts and got the scoop on all the best tips and tricks.

Install Squirrel Baffles

One method that keeps squirrels away from fruit trees is a squirrel baffle. These are cone-shaped or cylindrical barriers that go around the trunks of your fruit trees, says Mark Canney, director of landscape and horticulture at Arbor Day Farm.

Baffles are low maintenance and prevent squirrels from climbing up your tree while still allowing it to grow normally. For the best results, Canney recommends opting for baffles made of metal or smooth plastic, as these materials are slippery for squirrels.

However, this method only works if the critters can’t leap from nearby branches or rooftops, so it's best used on standalone trees.

Try Tree Nets

Another way to stop squirrels from climbing fruit trees is by draping wildlife-safe netting over the entire tree canopy. When netting a tree, make sure the net’s tightly secured around the trunk so squirrels can’t sneak in from below, says Erica R. Williams, a gardener and founder of A Red Circle.

This method is very effective at keeping critters out, as the net covers all the tree’s branches and leaves. However, tree nets can be difficult to install on your own, and they need to be removed or checked regularly to avoid trapping birds or beneficial insects. Make sure there are no nesting birds in the tree before netting it.

Williams recommends this method to gardeners who have already lost a harvest or two and are ready to invest a little time in achieving strong results.

Use Motion-Activated Sprinklers

This method is simple and effective. All you have to do is set up a sprinkler with a motion sensor near the base of your fruit tree. It will then spray a short burst of water when any movement is detected.

“The sudden movement can startle squirrels and discourage repeated visits,” says Canney. According to Williams, this method is safe, humane, and can also deter other common garden animals, like raccoons or deer, which is why she recommends it.

However, the major downside is that the sprinkler might not be aesthetically pleasing, and it needs a steady water source, which can be difficult to provide during droughts.

Buy a Squirrel Feeder

Providing a more delicious alternative food source, like a squirrel feeder, is another proven method for keeping these animals away from your fruit trees.

According to Lisa Tadewaldt, a tree care expert and founder and owner at Urban Forest Pro, these feeders are both easy to install and affordable. Plus, squirrel feeders help keep the critters off your bird feeders.  

“And you simply have to make sure to keep them stocked,” she says. But the big risk with the feeder is that it can become overrun by all the squirrels in the neighborhood—so your home and garden might soon become a local squirrel hangout.

Prune Access Routes

You can also try trimming back any easy access routes, like overhanging branches.

“This minimizes potential bridges that squirrels can use to jump onto your fruit trees,” says Canney. The added benefit to this method is that thoughtful pruning is required anyway to ensure the health and form of your tree for the long term.

But the downside? The work required to remove branches. Plus, if all your trees’ branches are already pruned, you can’t prune them again—cutting back too many branches can harm a tree's overall health.