Parrots = No panama berries (forum)

AlfredP starts with ...
I purchased and planted a Panama Berry tree in the backyard some 3 years ago. Grew absolutely super fast to around 4m first year and a half. Fruit was absolutely prolific and delightful. Last 5 months or so word's gotten out amongst the entire SE Qld parrot population that the berries are delicious! Ever since then,the said population congregates on my tree every morning and they've absolutely stripped every berry off the tree. The tree is nearing 5m x 4m, too big to net .. I've tried rubber snakes, reflective tapes can't seem to get rid of them. We're in the middle of summer now and I was thinking of pruning the tree to half the current size then netting it .. would this be advisable?? or should I wait till winter?

Time: 17th January 2022 8:22am

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About the Author AlfredP
BEERWAH,4519,QLD
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davewastech1 says...
My main problem now (Sydney) has been ringtail possums stripping the leaves. The previous summer nothing touched them.
Cool winters sometimes cause the tree to die here.
I believe all the reflective things, plastic owls, etc don't work at all - just urban myths. Parrots aren't that dumb. Netting is the go - I would think pruning should be done in winter. You can prune it down to half height, and it will grow quickly once the weather warms up. I remove half every winter.

Time: 21st January 2022 5:38pm

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About the Author davewastech1
WILLOUGHBY EAST,2068,NSW
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Jadelink says...
Rubber snakes work better in country areas, where they get to see enough real snakes. Reflective toys just get played with by the rainbow lorikeets. Netting is the way.

Time: 22nd March 2022 3:37pm

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About the Author Jadelink
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davewastech1 says...
Maybe a pet python.....

Time: 23rd March 2022 1:22pm

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About the Author davewastech1
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