Protect trees from deer browsing with these techniques, tools, and plant choices.
Ackerman Gruber
While ornamental and edible gardens are prime targets,deer can also do major damageto trees.
Deer also damage trees in other ways.
Credit:Ackerman Gruber
And they definitely like to munch foliage, particularly evergreens in winter and deciduous trees in spring.
Typically, deer browse on branches less than 1 inch in diameter.
Deer are creatures of habit and can be persistent in their browsing once they find a situation they like.
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
Be proactive; dont let them get in the habit of preying on your trees.
Deer are proficient jumpers so a 4-foot-tall chain-link fence wont do the trick.
A woven wire fence that is at least 9 feet tall is needed to exclude deer.
Credit:Marty Baldwin
Youll need to check local regulations first, as many municipalities have fence height restrictions.
Secure the endswith zip ties.
Leave the cylinders in place until the trees are large enough to avoid serious damage from deer.
Peter Krumhardt
3.
Tree Guards
Tree guards protect the bark of deciduous trees from antler rubbing.
They come in different diameters and lengths to accommodate most types of trees.
Install them in late summer and remove in spring so they dont harbor insects or nests during the summer.
Some people use tree guards made of wax-coated corrugated cardboard.
Others use plastic gutter pipes, which are wider than tree guards and can be cut to any length.
Avoid black plastic guards because they can heat up in sunlight and cause bark damage.
Marty Baldwin
4.
Packaged tree wrap is made of paper, fabric, or polypropylene.
Tree Tubes
Tree tubes are similar to tree guards but intended for very young saplings without lateral branches.
Some are ventilated, others are biodegradable.
Tree tubes should be securely anchored to prevent deer from toppling them.
Repellents
Repellents are solutions sprayed on plants to deter animal browsing.
Some repel deer with a disagreeable taste, such as hot pepper.
Repellents need to be reapplied regularly as the plant grows or when it rains.
Some people use ahomemade deer repellent.
Deer-Resistant Plants
When theyre very hungry and options are limited, deer will eat practically anything.
However, some plants are less appealing than others.
For example, while deer will eagerly nibble on a tenderarborvitae, a similar-looking but pricklierjuniperwill be ignored.
Pines,fir, andspruceare also known to resist deer.
How to manage deer damage on trees and other plants.
Accessed October 31, 2024. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/white-tailed-deer-damage#deer-resistant-plants-1880560.
