Sorry about your persimmon and fig trees. It is best not to wrap them, as the covering can easilly become a hiding place for insects.

To deter the cats you could make the area inhospitable by putting some prickly items around the tree, such as prickly branches from a rose bush or the spiky balls that fall to the ground from the sweetgum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua). Felines do not like their paws pricked.

Another deterrent is chicken wire laid down around the trees; cats don't like the the feeling of the wire on their tender paws. Pin down the wire to keep it from shifting.

Best of luck with your cat problem.

For tips on a variety of gardening topics, see our Plant Information Guides.
- Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service