Goats are natural browsers, preferring leaves, shoots, and woody plants over grass, which makes them highly destructive to trees. They damage trees primarily by browsing foliage, stripping bark, and rubbing against trunks. The most significant damage is stripping the bark, known as girdling, which severs the tree’s phloem layer. This prevents the flow of nutrients between the roots and leaves, ultimately killing the tree. Protecting trees requires a comprehensive approach combining physical barriers, aversive measures, and strategic animal management.
Individual Tree Barriers
The most direct method to protect a tree is installing a physical barrier around its trunk, which is crucial for young trees with thinner bark. Hardware cloth, a galvanized wire mesh with small openings, provides superior defense against goats and smaller pests. The mesh size should be no larger than 1/2-inch, and the rigid metal deters goats from rubbing.
The barrier must be constructed as a cylinder, leaving space between the mesh and the trunk for growth and air circulation. The cylinder should be at least 36 to 48 inches tall for protection against browsing and rubbing. Secure the bottom edge by burying the wire or anchoring it firmly with U-shaped sod staples to prevent goats from nudging it upward.
For newly planted saplings, plastic tree tubes or spiral wraps offer temporary protection against minor browsing. These materials are less durable than metal mesh and are easily pushed aside by adult goats. They are best used with a sturdy stake until the trunk is large enough for a permanent hardware cloth cage.
Perimeter Fencing Solutions
Excluding goats from an entire area is often the most effective way to safeguard orchards or woodlots, but it requires specialized fencing. A goat-proof fence should stand between 48 and 60 inches high (4 to 5 feet) to discourage jumping. Woven wire fencing is highly reliable because its flexible knots are less prone to breaking than welded wire when goats push or rub against it.
The woven wire mesh openings must be small, ideally 4 inches by 4 inches, to prevent goats from getting stuck or damaging the fence. A multi-strand electric fence system provides an additional psychological deterrent. An electric wire placed 18 inches off the ground prevents climbing, and a second hot wire along the top edge discourages jumping. Proper tension and grounding are necessary for the electric fence to deliver a non-harmful shock, training the goats to respect the boundary.
Taste and Scent Deterrents
Non-physical methods rely on aversive taste or smell to make trees unappealing. Commercial deer repellents, often containing putrefied egg solids or blood meal, can be applied directly to the bark to create a foul odor and taste. Goats are repelled by these strong scents.
Household remedies, such as sprays made from peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, or strong-smelling soaps mixed with water, can also be used. These concoctions overpower the tree’s natural scent, which goats find attractive. Topical deterrents require frequent reapplication, especially after rain, to maintain effectiveness. They are best used as a temporary solution to supplement a robust physical barrier system.
Goat Management Strategies
Understanding goat behavior helps mitigate the underlying reasons for destructive tree damage. Goats are more likely to strip bark when they have a nutritional deficiency, such as a lack of copper or other trace minerals. Providing free-choice access to a quality mineral block formulated for goats can reduce their urge to chew on bark as a substitute.
Herd density management and rotational grazing are powerful tools. Moving goats frequently to fresh pasture prevents them from over-browsing a single area or targeting specific trees out of boredom or hunger. Allowing goats access to a dedicated “sacrifice” area with brush piles and palatable woody plants diverts their attention from valuable ornamental or fruit trees. Providing alternative rubbing surfaces, such as sturdy wooden posts or large rocks, satisfies the goat’s instinct to rub, protecting tree trunks from abrasive damage.