Magnolia trees are a popular landscape choice due to their striking blossoms and attractive foliage. For gardeners in deer-populated areas, understanding how deer interact with magnolias is important for protecting these cherished trees. This guide clarifies deer behavior towards magnolias and offers practical protection solutions.
Deer and Magnolia Trees: Understanding Their Interaction
Magnolia trees are generally deer-resistant, meaning they are not typically a preferred food source. However, no plant is entirely deer-proof, and magnolias can be browsed under certain conditions. Deer are opportunistic feeders; their diet shifts based on food scarcity, local population density, and other available vegetation. During periods of limited forage, such as late fall, winter, or droughts, deer may turn to plants they normally avoid, including magnolias. Young trees, with tender new growth, are especially susceptible. While many varieties like Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata), and Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana) are considered resistant, even these can be browsed when deer are hungry. Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) may be less resistant due to its smaller twigs.
Identifying Deer Damage on Magnolias
Recognizing deer damage is important for intervention. Deer browsing results in a torn or ragged appearance on leaves, twigs, and branches, unlike a clean cut. This is because deer lack upper incisors and tear vegetation. Damage often occurs up to six feet from the ground.
Bucks also cause significant damage by rubbing their antlers on tree trunks, most common from early fall through winter. This behavior helps them remove velvet and mark territory. Antler rubbing leaves vertical scrapes and shredded bark, exposing the tree’s inner cambium layer, which transports nutrients. If damage encircles the trunk, it can girdle the tree, leading to its demise. In contrast, rabbit damage is a clean, 45-degree angle cut, concentrated closer to the ground, usually within a few inches to three feet high.
Strategies for Protecting Magnolia Trees from Deer
A multi-faceted approach is often most successful for protecting magnolia trees from deer. Physical barriers offer reliable protection, with fencing being a primary method. Fences should be at least eight feet tall to prevent deer from jumping. For individual trees, especially young ones, protective enclosures using welded wire fencing, plastic mesh, or tree guards can be installed around the trunk and foliage. These can be simple wire mesh circles secured around the tree, ensuring adequate growth space.
Deer repellents deter through taste, smell, or fear. Commercial repellents, often containing putrescent egg solids, garlic, or peppermint oil, can be sprayed directly onto plants. Effective commercial options include Deer Away Big Game Repellent and Plantskydd. Homemade repellents also work, using strong odors like rotten eggs, garlic, hot pepper, or a milk, egg, and dish soap mixture. These sprays typically need reapplication after rain or every few weeks, especially on new growth.
Cultural practices also deter deer. Planting deer-resistant companion plants around magnolias can make the area less appealing. Maintaining a tidy garden and removing fallen fruit or accessible food sources reduces the area’s attractiveness to deer. Using multiple protection methods in combination often yields the best results.