Protecting your trees from deer is a common challenge for homeowners. Deer cause damage through two primary behaviors: browsing and rubbing. Browsing involves eating the foliage, buds, and young shoots of trees and shrubs, which can stunt growth or change the plant’s shape. Rubbing, done by male deer with their antlers, strips the bark from the trunk, interrupting the tree’s ability to transport nutrients. A multi-faceted approach combining physical barriers, sensory deterrents, and careful landscape planning offers the most reliable protection for your trees.
Creating Physical Exclusion Barriers
Physical exclusion barriers are the most effective method for preventing deer damage because they block access. A perimeter fence is necessary for large planting areas. Since deer are capable of jumping seven feet or higher, a permanent fence must be at least eight feet tall to be reliably deer-proof. Woven wire or high-tensile mesh materials are frequently used for constructing these tall fences due to their durability and strength.
If local ordinances prohibit a fence of this height, a double fence strategy can be used as an alternative. This involves installing two parallel, shorter fences, often four to six feet apart, which confuses the deer’s depth perception and discourages them from attempting a jump.
For individual young trees, sturdy wire cages or enclosures provide targeted protection. These enclosures are typically constructed from four- to five-foot tall welded wire or hardware cloth and must be secured to the ground. The cage diameter must be wide enough, ideally three to four feet, so the deer cannot reach over or through the wire to browse the foliage. These individual barriers effectively protect against both browsing damage and trunk rubbing.
Using Taste and Scent Repellents
Repellents work by making the treated plant unpalatable (taste-based) or by creating an offensive odor (odor-based) that signals danger or fear. Taste-based repellents are applied directly to the plant, while odor-based repellents can be applied to the plant or used as an area deterrent. Common active ingredients include putrescent egg solids, which create a sulfurous smell, or thiram and capsaicin, which provide a foul taste or mild irritant.
The effectiveness of repellents depends on consistent reapplication. New plant growth is unprotected and must be sprayed quickly, and the product’s efficacy can be washed away by rain or heavy dew. Most liquid repellents require reapplication every 30 to 60 days, or immediately after significant rainfall, to maintain concentration.
A drawback of relying solely on repellents is that deer can become accustomed to the sensory deterrent over time. To counteract this, it is necessary to rotate between products with different active ingredients. Repellents are best used as a supplement to physical barriers or for low-pressure situations, as they are not a permanent solution for determined deer.
Protecting Trunks from Antler Rubbing
Antler rubbing damage occurs mainly during the rutting season, which typically runs from late summer through the fall. Male deer rub their antlers against tree trunks to remove the velvet covering and to mark their territory by depositing scent. This action can shred the bark entirely around the trunk, a process called girdling, which severs the cambium layer responsible for nutrient and water transport.
Protection for the trunk must be rigid and tall enough to prevent contact with the antlers, generally up to four or five feet from the ground. Spiral plastic guards, rigid plastic netting, or sections of hardware cloth can be wrapped loosely around the trunk to create a physical shield. It is important to select guards that are light in color to prevent excessive heat buildup, which can damage the bark.
Guards must be checked regularly and loosened or removed as the tree grows to prevent constriction. If the protective wrap does not expand with the tree’s diameter, it can cause girdling. Temporary guards installed before the rut and removed in late winter prevent potential long-term damage or pest harborage, though some materials can remain on year-round.
Long-Term Site Management Strategies
Incorporating long-term strategies into your landscape design can reduce the overall appeal of the site to deer. Selecting species with natural deterrents minimizes browsing damage. Deer tend to avoid plants with strong fragrances, coarse or spiny foliage, or a bitter taste. While no plant is entirely deer-proof, especially when food is scarce, researching and selecting varieties like Japanese Cedar, Boxwood, and certain Junipers can significantly lower the risk of browsing.
Modifying the landscape’s layout can also serve as a deterrent. Vulnerable, high-value plants can be positioned close to human activity areas, such as near a deck or frequently used pathway, since deer prefer to feed in less exposed locations. Creating thick, thorny perimeter plantings, like certain hollies or roses, can establish a natural barrier that discourages deer from entering the area. Additionally, removing attractants such as fallen fruit helps to minimize the incentive for deer to linger on the property.