Banana trees, though often seen in gardens, are not true trees. They are herbaceous plants that grow from an underground rhizome, forming a trunk-like pseudostem from tightly packed leaf sheaths. A common concern for gardeners is whether deer pose a threat. Understanding their interaction with banana plants is helpful for protection.
Deer and Banana Trees
While not a primary food source, deer are opportunistic feeders and will consume banana trees, especially when other food options are scarce. This makes banana plants susceptible to browsing.
Deer are attracted to various parts of the banana plant, including the leaves, young shoots, and sometimes the fruit if it is accessible and ripe. The sweetness and high potassium content of bananas can make them appealing to deer, particularly when their nutritional needs fluctuate. New, tender growth on banana trees is often more palatable to deer than older, tougher foliage.
If deer populations are high or natural food sources are limited, the likelihood of them browsing on less preferred plants like banana trees increases. While some sources suggest banana trees are deer-resistant, they are more accurately described as deer-tolerant; deer will eat them if hungry but typically won’t seek them out as a first choice. Hungry deer can cause significant damage, sometimes consuming entire plants.
Recognizing Deer Damage
Identifying deer damage on your banana trees involves looking for specific visual cues that differentiate it from other animal activity. Deer lack upper incisors, so when they browse, they tear vegetation rather than making clean cuts. This results in a ragged or shredded appearance on leaves, stems, and twigs.
Damage from deer often occurs higher up on the plant, as they can reach branches and leaves up to 6 feet from the ground. In contrast, smaller rodents or rabbits typically leave cleanly cut stalks closer to the ground. Other signs of deer presence in your garden might include elongated droppings or distinct hoof prints.
Protecting Your Banana Trees
Protecting banana trees from deer involves a combination of physical barriers and deterrents. Fencing is a highly effective physical barrier, with an ideal height of at least 8 feet to prevent deer from jumping over. Netting can also be draped over vulnerable plants as a temporary measure. For individual plants, wire cages or tree shelters can provide localized protection.
Deer repellents offer another layer of defense, working through scent or taste to make plants unappealing. Commercial repellents are available, often containing ingredients like putrefied eggs, garlic, or predator urine. Homemade solutions, such as an egg and water mixture, have also shown effectiveness. These repellents need consistent reapplication, typically every two to four weeks, or after heavy rain, as their effectiveness diminishes over time and with new plant growth. Rotating different types of repellents can prevent deer from becoming accustomed to a single one.
Other Common Banana Tree Pests
Beyond deer, banana trees can be susceptible to a variety of other pests that cause distinct types of damage. Insect pests like aphids are common, feeding on plant sap which can lead to deformed and discolored leaves. Aphids may also excrete sticky honeydew, attracting ants and promoting sooty mold growth. Banana weevils, or borers, are nocturnal insects that tunnel through the plant’s corms and pseudostems, potentially causing wilting and plant collapse.
Nematodes, which are microscopic roundworms, can infest banana plant roots, leading to wilting leaves and brown lesions. Rodents such as rats and mice are also attracted to banana trees, particularly the ripening fruit due to its sweet smell. They may chew on fruit or tunnel around the roots, causing damage. Recognizing the specific signs of damage can help determine the culprit and guide appropriate pest management strategies.