Elderberry bushes (Sambucus species) are valued by gardeners and foragers for their white flower clusters and dark purple berries. These deciduous shrubs offer ornamental appeal and a harvest used in jellies, syrups, and tinctures. In regions with high deer populations, growers often question whether this popular plant will survive browsing pressure. Understanding the elderberry’s natural defenses and the circumstances that lead a deer to consume it helps manage cultivation expectations.
Deer Palatability: The Direct Answer
Deer are generally reluctant to eat elderberry, classifying the plant as deer-resistant rather than deer-proof. This low palatability is due to cyanogenic glycosides, specifically sambunigrin, found in the leaves, stems, and seeds. When a deer chews the raw plant material, these compounds release hydrogen cyanide, creating a bitter taste that acts as a powerful deterrent.
The plant’s chemical defense system makes elderberry a secondary food choice for deer. While mature stems and leaves are usually avoided, deer may occasionally browse the most tender new growth at branch tips. Newly planted saplings and young, succulent shoots are the most vulnerable parts, as they are easier to digest and lack maximum bitterness. Ripe berries are more often consumed by birds and small mammals than by deer.
Environmental Factors That Influence Browsing
The most significant factor overriding a deer’s natural aversion is a lack of preferred food sources. During harsh winter months, when herbaceous plants are dormant and browse is scarce, even bitter plants like elderberry may become a survival meal. Prolonged drought or deep snow cover limits available forage, leading deer to consume plants they would normally ignore.
A high density of deer also increases competition, forcing animals to expand their diet to less desirable vegetation. In high-pressure zones, a young elderberry sapling may be browsed simply because it is the most accessible green matter nearby. Established, woody bushes often fare better because much of their foliage grows above a deer’s comfortable reach, typically five to six feet off the ground.
Proven Methods for Protecting Elderberry Bushes
Protecting elderberry from browsing requires physical barriers and sensory deterrents, especially where deer populations are dense. For new or young plants, temporary physical protection is the most reliable method for establishment. Wrapping individual saplings with fine-mesh netting or constructing small wire cages prevents deer from reaching tender shoots.
For mature plantings, a permanent fence is the most effective solution, requiring a minimum height of eight feet to be a true barrier. If a permanent structure is impractical, taste-based and scent-based repellents can be applied directly to the foliage. Repellents containing putrefied egg solids or capsaicin make the plant taste or smell unappealing to deer.
To maintain the effectiveness of chemical deterrents, rotate between two or three different products throughout the season. Deer can become accustomed to a single scent or taste, reducing the repellent’s efficacy; switching formulas prevents this habituation. Repellents must be reapplied frequently, particularly after heavy rainfall or new growth emerges, to ensure complete coverage.