White-tailed deer consume Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis), often called arborvitae, as a highly palatable and preferred food source. This browsing behavior is a significant ecological factor throughout the tree’s range, especially in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. Deer frequently target both wild cedar stands and ornamental plantings near human habitation.
Why White Cedar is a Preferred Winter Food Source
White Cedar is one of the best available options for deer when deep snow covers ground-level forage. Dense cedar stands also provide crucial thermal cover, often called “deeryards,” where deer concentrate to shelter from severe cold and wind. This combination of shelter and food places the trees under constant pressure from deer throughout the colder months.
The nutritional profile of cedar browse makes it relatively digestible compared to other woody species available in winter. Its composition includes crude protein, fat, and carbohydrates, offering a maintenance diet for the deer’s specialized four-chambered stomach. The deer’s winter-adapted gut flora can efficiently process this high-fiber evergreen browse.
Heavy reliance on cedar browse is often a sign of nutritional stress, especially toward late winter. While the cedar itself is a suitable food for the deer’s winter digestive system, over-browsing occurs when other forage options are scarce. This excessive feeding can prevent young cedar trees from growing past the browsing height, leading to regeneration failure in the forest.
Recognizing the Signs of Deer Browsing
Identifying deer damage is straightforward because their physical feeding style leaves a distinct signature on the branches. Unlike rabbits or hares, which create a clean, scissor-like cut, deer lack upper incisors. Instead, they press the branch against a hard dental pad and rip the foliage away.
This action results in a jagged, torn, or frayed appearance on the tips of the browsed branches. The most telling sign of deer presence is the resulting “browse line,” which marks the maximum height the deer can reach while standing. This line is typically observed between three and eight feet above the ground, with all foliage below this height removed.
Damage is concentrated on the lower, outer branches of the tree, which are the easiest to access. If a tree has been heavily browsed repeatedly, it will often develop a distinct hourglass or umbrella shape, with a thick layer of bare branches below the browse line and a dense, healthy canopy above it.
Effective Strategies for Tree Protection
The most reliable method for preventing deer damage is the use of physical barriers, as this completely excludes the animal from the food source. Since white-tailed deer are capable of jumping high, a permanent exclusion fence must stand at least eight feet tall to be effective. Woven-wire fencing or high-tensile plastic mesh are common materials for this barrier.
For protecting individual saplings or smaller ornamental trees, a temporary enclosure or cage can be built around the trunk. These cages must be constructed with sturdy wire mesh and be tall enough to extend beyond the deer’s maximum reach. For winter protection of established hedges, wrapping the entire tree in burlap or specialized netting can deter browsing.
Chemical deterrents offer an alternative to physical barriers by making the foliage unpalatable or offensive to the deer’s sensitive sense of smell. These repellents fall into two categories: taste-based and odor-based. Egg-based repellents, which contain putrescent egg solids, emit a foul odor that signals danger to the deer, discouraging them from feeding.
Capsaicin-based repellents, formulated from the compound found in chili peppers, create a taste deterrent that produces an unpleasant burning sensation when the deer attempts to browse. The effectiveness of chemical repellents depends on consistent reapplication, especially after heavy rain or snow, as moisture quickly washes the active ingredients away. Switching between different types of repellents can also be beneficial, as deer may become accustomed to a single scent or taste.