The Customer

One of our first jobs of 2023 was installing rabbit proof fencing in Delamere Forest. This work was undertaken on behalf of Forestry England who work hard to maintain and care for the forest.  Forestry England care for more land and trees than any other organisation in England.

Their aim is to shape landscapes for people, wildlife, and timber.

The organisation also supplies England’s largest amount of sustainably-sourced timber and conserves thousands of plant and animal species. This was a return visit to Delamere, we previously installed over 2000 metres of rabbit fencing in the forest in 2020. It was a pleasure to be asked back to further help the continuing efforts of Forestry England.

The Challenge

Rabbit fencing is used to protect crops trees and plants. Rabbits are renowned for eating bark from trees which can cause the tree serious injury and can result in the tree gradually dying.

It is therefore vital to put protective rabbit proof fencing in place to protect the newly planted saplings until they become established. Rabbit proof fencing is essential to ensuring that the work carried out by Forestry England is a success.

The Solution

Our work at Delamare Forest was carried out over 6 plots throughout the forest. We installed over 2500 metres of rabbit netting to protect new tree plantations. For rabbit fencing installations such as this we use 1200 x 30 x 1.2mm premium Hex Net from Tornado wire.

Once installed, the fence stands 1 metre above the ground, with a 20cm turned base buried below the ground.

Burying the wire makes it impossible for rabbits to dig their way into the fenced-off plantation. This method has proven effective in providing an ultra-secure perimeter.

The Installation

This fence is installed with an intermediate post every 5 -10 meters, (as per Forestry Commission guidelines) and a straining post at every significant change of direction. Plain wire is pulled tightly around the posts, we use our 5-tonne excavator to dig a trench around the outside of the fence line.

The Hex Net is then attached to the plain wire using hog rings, with the bottom 20cm of netting resting in the trench. Finally, the trench is backfilled, burying the wire. The area can then be reseeded at the customer’s request.

The Result

The results of this project mean that over 2000 new tree saplings can now become established, without any threat from the forest’s rabbit population. Once the trees are established, the fencing can be removed if the customer wishes, or left in place at no detriment to the environment or the forest’s inhabitants.

Over the last 10 years, Stockdale Fencing has installed rabbit fencing on various sites. These sites include farms, plantations, gardens, and allotments where the rabbit population is a problem. This experience makes us the number one choice in the northwest for this type of fencing.

If rabbit netting is something that you are considering for your land, or you would like more information, please give us a  call.