Help protecting my apples from squirrels

[Jones3A]

We have a medium-sized apple tree anchored to a brick wall, that is absolutely laden with a beautiful crop of tiny apples.
The year before last the blasted squirrels stole every single one leaving my two children totally crestfallen having excitedly watched them grow all spring and summer.
Last year I attempted to protect them by covering the entire tree in a fine garden mesh.
This still only managed to save a small few and most importantly, unfortunately accidentally killed a blue tit who got caught in it. Far more heartbreaking than the loss of the apples of course. Needless to say, we immediately removed the mesh when we realised the risk it posed to wildlife.
So my question is, does anyone have any great ideas I can try this year that will do no harm and yet help us to preserve some of our lovely apples?

I doubt you will stop squirrels, have you seen some of the squirrel assault courses people have made? They are amazing little creatures, the only way I can think of is negotiate with them, try putting out alternative food sources and lots of them in the hope the apples are of little interest.

Spray the apples with cayenne pepper spray or chilli pepper powder . The squirrels hate the taste. You’ll need to renew it after major rain but they should learn to avoid it. And then wash the apples well before you eat them.

How about leaving food out for the squirrels so they don't need to bother with the tree?

That is a sure fire way to get more squirrels. And they will still pull the apples off the tree for fun.

I shoot them. They are classed as a pest in the UK.

Squirrels are eating, digging and fence gnawing machines! They've been so destructive in our garden we've had to stop putting out any food at all for the birds so as not to attract them. We have fruit trees and just know that once the fruit is ripe it will very quickly have bites out of every single one. Little sods.

Discharging a firearm isn't that straightforward in a domestic garden. 😂

Admittedly I live out in the sticks 😆

Let me know if you ever find out. I'm in a battle with them over my hazelnut tree.

Grey squirrels are pests. Red squirrels are not. We don’t know which she has.

I had a similar problem with pear and plum trees. Now pick them before they ripen and leave them for a week or two on the windowsill to soften up.