Cherry trees are highly susceptible to damage from deer, which view them as a desirable food source, particularly when other forage is scarce. Deer are naturally browsers, but they readily adapt their diet to include cultivated plants, making fruit trees like cherries a frequent target. Understanding the feeding habits and specific signs of damage is the first step in effectively protecting these trees. Mitigation requires a strategic approach focusing on both physical barriers and deterrents.
Why Cherry Trees Attract Deer and Which Parts They Target
Deer are drawn to cherry trees because the leaves, buds, and fruit offer a concentrated source of nutrition. In the spring and summer, deer primarily target the tender new growth, including terminal buds and succulent leaves. This new foliage is rich in proteins and moisture, making it an easy meal during the growing season.
As the weather cools and natural forage becomes less available, the focus shifts to other parts of the tree. During late winter and early spring, deer often consume dormant buds and small twigs, which provide a relatively dense calorie source. Ripe fruit is also highly attractive, offering a significant sugar boost before winter.
A more damaging habit is the stripping of bark, known as girdling, which occurs most often during harsh winters. When preferred food sources are covered by snow or frozen, deer consume the bark to access the underlying cambium layer. This practice can quickly kill a young cherry tree by interrupting the flow of nutrients and water.
Identifying Specific Signs of Deer Damage
Diagnosing deer damage relies on observing specific visual cues that distinguish it from the feeding habits of other animals. When deer browse on leaves and stems, the resulting edges appear torn or ragged because deer lack upper incisors and must rip the plant material. This contrasts sharply with the clean, angled cuts left by rodents, which possess sharp incisors.
The height of the damage is another strong indicator, as deer typically browse from the ground up to about six feet. Damage below three feet is more commonly attributed to rabbits or voles, especially in areas with deep snow cover. Observing a distinct browse line on the tree’s lower canopy is a clear sign of persistent deer activity.
Another form of damage is the “buck rub,” which occurs when male deer scrape their antlers against the trunk of a young tree between late summer and fall. This behavior is used to remove velvet or mark territory during the rutting season. The resulting damage is characterized by vertical scrapes and shredded bark that exposes the wood underneath, often circling and killing saplings.
Practical Methods for Protecting Your Trees
Exclusion is the most reliable method for protecting cherry trees from deer, with fencing being the most effective physical barrier. A permanent fence must be at least eight feet tall to prevent deer from jumping over. For individual, newly planted trees, installing a wire mesh cylinder or tree shelter around the sapling offers a cost-effective alternative.
These individual guards should be secured firmly and extend high enough to prevent browsing and protect the trunk from antler rubbing. Trunk wraps or plastic spirals should be applied in the fall before the rutting season begins to guard the sensitive bark. The physical barrier must be checked periodically to ensure it does not girdle the tree as it grows.
Repellents offer a temporary solution and are categorized into contact and area types, both working by taste or smell. Contact repellents, such as egg-based formulas, are applied directly to the plant and make the foliage unpalatable. Area repellents, like those containing predator scents or strong odors, are placed near the tree to deter deer.
For repellents to remain effective, rotation between different products is necessary to prevent the deer from becoming accustomed to a single deterrent. Repellents must be reapplied frequently, especially after significant rainfall or snowfall. Planting highly aromatic or unpalatable companion plants nearby can also help make the immediate area less inviting.