Discovering stripped foliage on landscape plants is a common frustration for homeowners. Deer readily eat evergreen trees and shrubs, especially when their preferred food sources are unavailable. This browsing behavior becomes pronounced during certain seasons. Understanding why and how this feeding occurs is the first step in protecting vulnerable plants from serious harm.
Why Deer Target Evergreen Foliage
Deer are herbivores that shift their diet based on the availability of forage throughout the year. Their interest in evergreen foliage peaks during the late fall and winter months. As deciduous trees drop their leaves and herbaceous plants die back, evergreens offer a readily accessible, above-snow food source.
This winter feeding is often categorized as survival browsing rather than preferred feeding. The nutritional content of evergreen needles and leaves is generally lower in protein and digestibility compared to summer forage. However, when snow cover is deep and other options are scarce, evergreens provide the necessary sustenance for a deer to maintain its body temperature.
A single adult deer can consume several pounds of plant material daily, making the cumulative impact on ornamental plantings significant. Plants like Arborvitae and Yews, which are common in residential landscapes, offer a dense, palatable source of winter calories. This necessity drives deer to consume plants they might otherwise ignore when lush, high-quality food is abundant during the warmer months.
Identifying Deer Damage Versus Other Issues
Confirming that deer are the source of plant damage requires examining the physical evidence left behind. Deer lack upper incisor teeth, possessing only a hard dental pad in their upper jaw. When they feed, they must grasp the foliage or twig with their lower teeth and tear it away, resulting in a characteristic ragged or rough edge on the remaining stem.
This torn appearance is a reliable way to differentiate deer browsing from the damage caused by smaller animals like rabbits or voles. Rabbits, which have both upper and lower incisors, make a clean, precise cut, often at a 45-degree angle. Rabbits and rodents also tend to cause damage lower to the ground, often girdling the bark near the base of the trunk.
Deer browsing typically occurs within their natural reach, creating a discernible “browse line” that can extend up to six feet above the ground. Another form of damage, known as rubbing, occurs when bucks scrape their antlers against young tree trunks. This behavior takes place in late summer and early fall to remove velvet or mark territory, and it can strip bark and fatally girdle a tree.
Evergreen Species They Prefer and Avoid
Deer exhibit clear preferences, meaning some evergreens are far more susceptible to browsing damage than others. Among the most palatable species are Eastern Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) and Japanese Yew (Taxus spp.), which are frequently browsed down to bare stems in winter. Hemlock, some Pines, and certain varieties of Holly are also common targets, particularly when food is limited.
Conversely, many evergreen species possess natural defenses that make them resistant to deer feeding. These plants often contain bitter or toxic compounds, have a pungent aroma, or feature an unappealing texture. Boxwood (Buxus spp.) is widely avoided due to the presence of distasteful alkaloids and its distinct odor.
Plants with sharp or stiff needles are also less likely to be browsed. Many species of Spruce (Picea spp.), such as Colorado Blue Spruce and Dwarf Alberta Spruce, are often bypassed because their needles are too prickly. Similarly, Junipers (Juniperus spp.) contain strong-smelling oils and have a bitter taste, making them poor choices. Selecting species like Japanese False Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera) or Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii) can significantly reduce browsing pressure on the landscape.
Protecting Vulnerable Plants from Browsing
The most reliable method for preventing deer damage is the use of physical barriers. Temporary fencing, such as plastic mesh or wire enclosures, should be installed before winter to block access to high-value plants. Since a determined deer can jump a six-foot fence, a barrier of at least eight feet is recommended for total exclusion.
Individual plants, especially young or vulnerable specimens, can be protected by wrapping them in burlap or netting secured with stakes. Tree shelters, which are plastic tubes placed around the trunk, are effective at preventing both browsing and antler rubbing on saplings. These physical exclusion methods are more dependable than chemical deterrents.
Chemical repellents work by creating an unpleasant taste or smell, but they require consistent management. These products, which often contain ingredients like putrefied egg solids or capsaicin, must be reapplied frequently after heavy rain or snow. Strategically planting preferred species close to the home can also act as a localized deterrent.