So, I've finally made up my mind. I've ordered a roll of this:
no-climb horse fence. I'm assuming it's good
enough quality. It's the only suitable and affordable option I can find that's available locally.
It's only four feet high, so the plan is to put up one length along the ground, and then another length from the top, with the two sections overlapping in the middle.
If I'm lucky, it'll come in quickly. I have two helpexers (volunteers) staying with me right now, so we should be able to get it up pretty quickly, in which case I should be able to get my first
apple tree in this spring. If the fencing takes too long to come in, it'll be too late for the apple tree, but I can use it the
fence as a
trellis for my pole beans and squash this season, and work on improving the soil.