Can't you just throw hail nets loose over the trees?

Can't you just throw hail nets loose over fruit trees? We get this question more often. In this article, we want to answer this question and go into more detail about the different ways to install hail nets in your orchard. Why would you want to lay hail nets loose over the trees?

When the hail net is loose over the trees, you can open and close the hail nets faster. For example, leaving the hail nets up can be beneficial for the trees' flower head formation and fruit colouring. You can also significantly reduce investment costs for hail nets.

Harvest protection with hail nets

When you choose to protect your fruit crops from hail, you want to make the right choice. Simply put, there are 3 options for protecting your fruit trees with hail nets:

1. Hail net loose over trees;

2. Hail nets along the trees;

3. Hail net over the trees;

We briefly discuss the costs, advantages and disadvantages of each option. At the bottom of this article is a table with all prices and options clearly displayed.

Hail net loose over trees

It is possible to lay hail nets loosely over the fruit trees, but in professional fruit growing this is actually not done. In strong winds and storms (when there is often hail), the hail nets must protect the fruit. However, some growers use ropes, tyraps and clips to secure the hail nets. Only opening and closing is then completely easy. The average investment for one hectare of hail net loose over the trees is: €8,000.

Of course, there are other drawbacks to list. Only because not many fruit growers throw the hail net loose over the trees has this not been noted in detail. Indeed, hail netting loose over the trees is very similar to hail netting along the trees.

Hail net along the trees

In professional fruit growing, hail nets are often mounted along the trees. The hail nets can then be attached to the top crop wire with clips. At the bottom, you can opt for clips or a roll- up tube. With a roll-up tube at the bottom of the hail nets, you can quickly and easily rotate the hail nets up and down. Well-known hail net along-tree systems are the Whailex System and the Jacket Hail Net System. Hail nets along trees are ideal for smaller orchards and you do not need an aerial platform to open and close the hail nets. However, fruits with hail netting along the trees can still be damaged because the hail net does not catch the hail. The average investment for one hectare of hail netting along the trees differs per type of system and you can read about it below.

"Empty" orchard

In an empty orchard where posts, wires and everything still needs to be installed, the average investment is €26,000 per hectare for hail nets along the trees (including mounting the hail nets). For the €26,000,- per hectare, you also have a roll-up tube to easily wind the hail nets up and down.

Orchard with suitable poles

Do you already have poles in your orchard and are they suitable for hail netting along the trees? Then the average investment for hail nets along the trees is €17,500 per hectare (including installation). For that price, you will also have a roll-up tube to easily wind the hail nets up and down.

Hail net over the trees

Hail netting over trees is also called single row system or hail protection system. Another name is the Traditional Hailnet System. This system requires solid construction. Screw anchors, concrete