I love birds. So much that I don't mind sharing some of my cherries. I also love cherries, and don't want the dang pesky birds pecking a hole in each and every one the day before it gets good and ripe!

Other than pie plates, which seem to be keeping safe only the very branches they are tied to, I'm looking for tried and true tips to keep these lovely little creatures from greedily devouring my first really good cherry crop.

Does the netting over the whole tree really work? (and can it be removed without the aid of 4 ladders or lots of cutting?) Are there any scents that would help? Sounds? Scarecrows? Plastic owls? How about tethering a large hungry cat to the tree? (just kidding... sort of...)