Gardening often involves managing wildlife, especially deer, common visitors in both rural and suburban landscapes. A frequent question concerns whether these animals consume apricots and how to protect these valuable orchard additions.
Deer and Apricots: The Facts
Deer consume apricots, and these trees can sustain considerable damage from their browsing. Deer eat various parts of the apricot plant, including fruit, tender new leaves, twigs, buds, and bark, especially when other food sources are scarce. Young trees are particularly vulnerable to this browsing, as their tender shoots are easily accessible and palatable. Deer can strip leaves and new growth, significantly impacting a young tree’s development and future fruit production. Damage also extends to deer rubbing their antlers on tree trunks, which can cause irreparable harm.
Apricots are a preferred food source for deer, especially when natural forage is limited. The fruit’s high sugar and carbohydrate content offers a concentrated energy source, particularly appealing as deer prepare for winter.
Factors Attracting Deer to Apricot Trees
Several factors contribute to deer’s attraction to apricot trees. The sweetness and high sugar content of the fruit are significant draws, providing an energy-rich food source. Beyond the fruit, tender new growth of leaves and shoots offers easily digestible forage, especially in spring and early summer when succulent growth is abundant.
The fruit also provides a valuable water source, particularly appealing during dry periods. Their accessibility in residential gardens or orchards makes them an easy target compared to wild foraging. Seasonal availability of other food sources also influences deer behavior; when natural forage becomes less abundant, apricot trees become even more enticing.
Protecting Your Apricot Trees from Deer
Protecting apricot trees from deer requires a comprehensive approach, often combining several methods.
Physical Barriers
Physical barriers, such as fencing, offer reliable protection. An 8-foot tall fence is recommended to prevent deer from jumping over, and it should be secured at the bottom to deter crawling underneath. Individual tree cages made from sturdy wire mesh, such as 6-foot welded wire or concrete reinforcing mesh, can also protect young trees.
Repellents
Repellents can also be used, though their effectiveness depends on consistent reapplication and rotation. Commercial repellents containing ingredients like putrescent egg solids, garlic, or capsaicin deter deer through taste or smell. Homemade options using ingredients like rotten eggs, hot pepper, or strong-scented soaps can be applied to foliage, but these require reapplication after rain. Hanging bars of scented soap from branches can deter due to their strong fragrance.
Scare Tactics
Scare tactics, such as motion-activated sprinklers or noise-making devices, can temporarily deter deer by startling them. However, deer can become habituated over time, necessitating rotation or combination with other methods.
Companion Planting
Strategic planting of deer-resistant companion plants, such as daffodils, chives, lavender, or marigolds, around apricot trees may help by emitting strong scents or having unpalatable tastes.
While no plant is entirely deer-proof, a multi-faceted strategy offers the best chance to safeguard your apricot harvest.