Trees and Gardens

Fruit trees and vegetable gardens can also attract bears. Trees can only be protected individually if the limbs, leaves, and fruit do not hang below a height of seven or eight feet. If this ground clearance is available, an individual tree can be protected with fencing or other techniques that keep bears from climbing the tree. For low-hanging trees, tree groves, and vegetable gardens the best solution is sturdy high-tensile woven wire fencing at least six to seven feet high. The fence posts must be sturdily mounted and the fencing wire must be heavy enough to withstand the weight of a climbing bear. Ideally the fence should be angled out at the top foot to keep bears from scaling the fence.

Another fencing option is the installation of an electric fence. Because bears can learn how to get around them, electric fences are more of a “behavioral barrier” than an absolute barrier, which means that if they’re not properly maintained, bears will learn how to get through them. The Colorado State University Cooperative Extension has published a good example of electric fence installation for bears: www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/natres/06519.html

Compost used for vegetable gardens may also prove irresistible for bears, because compost generally starts out as food waste. The odor from decomposing food waste is particularly strong and of great interest to a bear. Compost containers must be bear-proof and should be stored far from the house.