We, or at least I, an Almanac editor, feel your pain and know your hunger. I too have a peach tree —now— for the squirrels. I got mouthwatering fruit the first year, then they discovered it. A few years ago a master gardener suggested hanging sparkly Christmas ornaments on the limbs. The “shine” would deter the critters. Well, only during the day. In the morning I would find barely nibbled hard peaches on the ground. And only for a while. A few of the ornaments are still on the tree. I asked everyone I met or thought might have a good answer. Even the cooperative extension service (at least the one I contacted) could provide no advice. A grower at a farmer’s market was mum. Of course, he had a field of trees; perhaps he built loss into his season. If you ever learn of a fool- (squirrel-)proof way of keeping them away, please share.
The only advice you might find helpful is to pick the peaches well before they are ripe, and ripen them indoors/in a protected area. They are not quite as good as tree-ripened, but you feel at least like you kept the squirrels from the entire harvest.
We, or at least I, an Almanac editor, feel your pain and know your hunger. I too have a peach tree —now— for the squirrels. I got mouthwatering fruit the first year, then they discovered it. A few years ago a master gardener suggested hanging sparkly Christmas ornaments on the limbs. The “shine” would deter the critters. Well, only during the day. In the morning I would find barely nibbled hard peaches on the ground. And only for a while. A few of the ornaments are still on the tree. I asked everyone I met or thought might have a good answer. Even the cooperative extension service (at least the one I contacted) could provide no advice. A grower at a farmer’s market was mum. Of course, he had a field of trees; perhaps he built loss into his season. If you ever learn of a fool- (squirrel-)proof way of keeping them away, please share.
The only advice you might find helpful is to pick the peaches well before they are ripe, and ripen them indoors/in a protected area. They are not quite as good as tree-ripened, but you feel at least like you kept the squirrels from the entire harvest.