When deer expand their territory into suburban and cultivated areas, willow bushes, often prized for their ornamental value and fast growth, frequently become a point of concern for property owners. While willows are not typically a deer’s first choice when abundant forage is available, they are certainly a food source, and the level of consumption depends on several biological and environmental factors. Understanding the deer’s dietary needs and seasonal habits is the first step in protecting these plants from browsing damage.
Palatability and Preferred Willow Species
Deer are classified as intermediate feeders, meaning their diet includes both grasses and woody browse. The parts of the plant they eat vary, but they often target the tender leaves and the soft, young shoots of the willow bush. This consumption is driven by the nutritional content of the plant, which includes a favorable level of crude protein, sometimes reaching around 15% in the leaves, and digestible dry matter.
Specific species of willow show varied palatability to deer, often due to differences in their chemical makeup. Ornamental varieties, such as the Corkscrew Willow, may be more vulnerable when young, but their rapid growth allows them to recover quickly from minor browsing. Other willow species are known to contain higher concentrations of condensed tannins and lignin, which can reduce the digestibility and overall appeal of the plant. Deer will consistently choose plants with higher protein content and lower fiber when they have a choice.
During the growing season, deer prefer plants that offer high moisture content and easily digestible nutrients. Willow leaves and young stems provide these benefits, especially the new growth which is less woody and fibrous. Although willow is not always a top-tier food source compared to other preferred browse species, its availability and good feed value make it a viable option for a hungry deer.
Seasonal Browsing Patterns
The likelihood of deer browsing on willow is strongly influenced by the time of year and the availability of other food sources. During the summer months, when a wide variety of herbaceous plants and forbs are abundant, deer may only occasionally nibble on willow. They usually turn to willow only if their preferred, high-protein forage is scarce or when they are passing through an area.
Willow consumption dramatically increases during the dormant season, which is typically from late fall through winter. When snow cover limits access to ground-level vegetation, deer must switch their diet to woody browse, which includes the twigs and bark of shrubs like willow. This winter browse is often lower in nutrition but is essential for survival, providing the necessary fiber and bulk for the cold months.
Heavy damage often occurs in winter when deer consume the bark and twigs, especially on young saplings or the lower branches of mature bushes. Stripping the bark from the main trunk or larger branches can girdle and severely damage or even kill a willow bush. This shift in diet from tender leaves to woody material is an adaptation to the decreased availability of more palatable forage.
Protecting Willow from Deer Damage
Protecting willow bushes requires a layered approach, utilizing both physical barriers and deterrent techniques. The most reliable method for preventing deer damage is physical exclusion, which involves installing a fence to deny access to the plants. Since deer can easily jump, a fence needs to be at least eight feet tall around an entire property.
For individual willow bushes, especially young ones, protective wraps or cages offer an effective barrier. You can wrap the trunk and lower branches with materials like burlap, plastic mesh, or chicken wire to prevent browsing and buck rub damage. Tree shelters or wire mesh tubes that extend five to six feet high are particularly useful for young saplings, allowing them to grow past the deer’s reach.
Chemical and scent-based deterrents can also be used to make the willow less appealing to deer. Commercial deer repellents often contain ingredients like putrid eggs or capsaicin that deter deer by smell or taste. These products must be applied in above-freezing temperatures and reapplied every few weeks, or after heavy rain, to maintain their effectiveness.
Cultural practices can reduce the pressure on your willow bushes by making your yard less attractive or providing alternative food. Planting less palatable species with strong odors, such as lavender or chives, near the willow may discourage browsing. Some property owners use sacrificial planting, where deer-favored forage is intentionally planted in a separate area to draw the animals away from the willow bushes.