Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a beloved ornamental tree known for its spectacular display of magenta-pink flowers that cover bare branches in early spring. This native species is a popular choice for home landscapes due to its manageable size and heart-shaped foliage. As suburban development pushes into natural habitats, many gardeners wonder how to protect this tree from browsing white-tailed deer. Understanding the redbud’s resistance is the first step in successful landscape management.
Are Redbud Trees Deer Resistant?
Redbud trees are not completely deer-proof, but they are generally rated as moderately resistant to browsing. This means they are “occasionally damaged” rather than being a preferred or frequently consumed food source. While the leaves and twigs are not a top choice, they are certainly palatable, especially to a hungry deer population.
The level of damage a redbud sustains depends heavily on “browse pressure.” When deer populations are high or natural food sources become scarce, animals consume plants they would normally avoid. This behavior is often seen during periods of drought, deep snow, or in late winter when tender foliage is difficult to find.
Young redbuds are particularly vulnerable because their tender new growth is easily accessible and more succulent. Mature trees can often tolerate light browsing, but a young sapling can be quickly stripped of its leaves and buds, severely hindering its growth and long-term health. Protection is necessary if local deer activity is significant.
Recognizing the Different Types of Deer Damage
Deer damage to redbuds typically falls into two categories: browsing and rubbing. Browsing occurs when deer eat the foliage, buds, and newest twigs. Since deer lack upper incisor teeth, they must grasp and tear vegetation, leaving behind a characteristic rough, shredded, or ragged end on the damaged branches.
This type of feeding is most common during the spring and summer when new leaves and shoots are soft and nutritious. Browsing damage is usually confined to the height a deer can comfortably reach, typically six feet or less from the ground. While browsing can deform a tree’s shape, it is often less destructive than the harm caused by rubbing.
Rubbing damage is caused exclusively by male deer (bucks) during the late summer and fall breeding season, known as the rut. The buck scrapes his antlers against the trunk of a young tree to remove the velvet covering and mark his territory. This action rips and shreds the bark, often creating vertical gouges.
If a buck rubs the bark off completely around the entire circumference of the trunk, the damage is called girdling. Girdling severs the tree’s vascular system, preventing the movement of nutrients between the roots and the canopy, which leads to the death of the tree above the damaged area.
Effective Strategies for Protecting Redbuds
The most reliable way to prevent deer damage is by installing physical barriers, which stop animals from reaching the plant. For young redbud trees, a simple method is to create a wire cage or cylinder around the trunk and canopy. This barrier should be secured with stakes and extend higher than the deer can comfortably browse, ideally reaching five to six feet.
To protect the trunk from antler rubbing, especially in the fall, a tree guard or plastic mesh wrap can be applied directly to the lower trunk. This protection must be installed before the rutting season begins in late summer and checked regularly to ensure it does not girdle the trunk as the tree grows. For protecting larger areas, an eight-foot-tall woven wire fence is the gold standard for full exclusion.
Repellents offer a secondary line of defense and are categorized as either taste-based or scent-based. Taste-based repellents are applied directly to the foliage to make the plant unpalatable. Scent-based products use strong odors, such as putrefied eggs or predator urine, to deter deer from entering the area. Repellents must be reapplied frequently, especially after heavy rain or snow, and rotating products helps prevent deer from becoming accustomed to a single deterrent.