A 5 ft square, 6 ft 4 in tall cage of four buried 4x4 posts, 2x4 rails and deer netting, to protect a young tree.
Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
60 x 60 inFootprint
76 inHeight
4 to 6 hrBuild time
$153.55Materials
Drawings All dimensions in inches
3D viewfinishedFront elevationRight elevationPlan viewfrom above
Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted
Qty
Stock
Length
Part
Cut
1
2x4
53
Rail top front
on edge, between the posts
1
2x4
53
Rail top back
on edge, between the posts
1
2x4
53
Rail top left
on edge, between the posts
1
2x4
53
Rail top right
on edge, between the posts
1
2x4
53
Rail mid front
on edge, between the posts
1
2x4
53
Rail mid back
on edge, between the posts
1
2x4
53
Rail mid left
on edge, between the posts
1
2x4
53
Rail mid right
on edge, between the posts
4
4x4 PT
94
Post
buried 18 in
Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim
2x4 x 10 ft
Rail top front 53Rail top back 53
2x4 x 10 ft
Rail top left 53Rail top right 53
2x4 x 10 ft
Rail mid front 53Rail mid back 53
2x4 x 10 ft
Rail mid left 53Rail mid right 53
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post 1 94
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post 2 94
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post 3 94
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Post 4 94
Shopping list $153.55 checked / $0.00 estimated
Item
Store
Qty
Each
Line
Note
2x4x10 stud, SPF
Home Depot
4
$5.46
$21.84
see lumber cutting diagram
4x4x8 ground-contact pressure-treated
Home Depot
4
$11.28
$45.12
see lumber cutting diagram
Deer netting 7 ft x 100 ft (Fencer Wire)
Home Depot
1
$34.48
$34.48
deer netting; use a 7 ft x 100 ft roll
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 5 lb box
Home Depot
1
$29.97
$29.97
Poultry staples 3/4 in, 1 lb
Southern States
1
$4.49
$4.49
UV zip ties 11 in, 100 ct (also used for tie wire)
Home Depot
1
$17.65
$17.65
Total before tax
$153.55
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.
Build steps
Dig four 18 in holes 5 ft apart, set the 4x4 posts plumb in gravel, tops 76 in above the ground.
Screw the 2x4 top rails and mid rails between the posts, on edge, at 72 in and 36 in.
Staple the deer netting to the posts and rails from the ground up on all four sides and over the top, folding it back at the seams and tying it with zip ties.
Leave one panel loose, held by clips, as a door you can roll up to prune and pick.
Before you start
Deer reach in 5 ft: the cage is 6 ft 4 in high so they cannot step over, and the top is covered. Without the top, a deer will jump in.
Use black polypropylene netting: it is nearly invisible and cheap. Check it for holes every spring.
Take the cage away when the tree is 6 ft tall and has bark above deer height.
Draft drawings generated from the model. Build one before selling this plan.