How to Fence Off Trees From Goats

Create the fence corners by pounding three “T” posts at each corner of the area that contains your trees. Place one post at the actual corner, and one post about 4 feet away from the corner post on either side to form a right angle. The side posts will be used to support the corner post. Also create a gate opening by placing one post on each side of the planned gate location and adding one post beside each gate post, about 4 feet away.

Slide a bracket from a corner kit down one of the corner support posts. Add a bracket near the top of the central corner post. Angle another “T” post from one bracket to the other, inserting the ends of the post in the holes on the brackets. This makes a solid brace for the corner post. Repeat on the other side of the corner. Use the same process to brace both sides of the gate opening.

Pound in a post every 12 to 15 feet along the fence line. Be sure the fence doesn’t come too close to the trees, as the goats will try to reach through the fence.

Unroll the fencing along the fence line. Start at one side of the gate and unroll it to the first corner. Clip the end of the fence securely to the first gate post.

Secure the fence stretcher to a tree or other solid object past the corner. Attach the other side of the stretcher to the fence. Pull the fencing until it is stretched to the point where there are no sags along the fence line and the fencing feels firm to the touch.

Place clips on each post to secure the fence. Be sure to clip both the bottom and top wires to the poles, as well as several of the middle wires, to make the fence as secure as possible.

Repeat the process for each side of the fence until you have returned to the gate opening. Secure the fence to the opposite side of the opening from where you started. Clip the wire to the post, cut it loose from the roll of fencing and bend any sharp ends under.

Bolt the gate hinges onto one of the gate posts, with the bottom hinge pin facing up and the top hinge pin facing down. Slip the eyes on the gate hinges that are attached to the gate itself onto these pins to complete the goat-proof fence around your trees.