Deer rubbing, often called “buck rub,” is a destructive behavior primarily performed by male deer (bucks) during the late summer through the autumn mating season (the rut). This action involves the deer scraping their antlers and foreheads against the trunk of a tree, which serves several biological purposes. Bucks initially rub to remove the velvet covering from their antlers, but they continue the behavior to mark territory and communicate dominance.
The buck deposits scent from glands located on its forehead onto the exposed wood, creating a visual and olfactory signpost. This rubbing can cause severe damage to trees, especially young ones with smooth bark and trunks between one and four inches in diameter. When a deer scrapes away the bark entirely around the circumference of the trunk, it removes the cambium layer, which is the tree’s vascular system for transporting water and nutrients. This results in a condition called girdling that is often fatal to the tree.
Physical Barriers Applied to Individual Trees
The most reliable approach for protecting vulnerable young trees is the use of physical barriers that prevent a buck’s antlers from reaching the bark.
One common method involves constructing wire cages around the tree trunk using galvanized hardware cloth or woven wire mesh. This cage should ideally be four to five feet tall to block the typical rubbing height and must be secured firmly into the ground to prevent the deer from pushing it aside.
Another effective solution is the installation of tree tubes or tree shelters, which are typically corrugated plastic or vinyl wraps that encircle the trunk. These tubes provide a direct shield against antler abrasion and also offer some protection against rodents. When using plastic materials, choose a lighter color to avoid excessive heat buildup around the trunk, which can damage the bark.
Durable plastic tree wraps, often sold in spiral or sheet form, offer a quick protective layer for the trunk. These wraps should be installed in the early fall before the rutting season begins and must cover the trunk from the ground up to at least four feet. Regardless of the material chosen, the barrier must be periodically inspected and adjusted as the tree grows to ensure it does not girdle the trunk itself.
Sensory Deterrents and Repellents
Sensory deterrents offer a less permanent, but often effective, method of discouraging deer by targeting their acute senses of smell and taste. Commercial repellents are generally categorized as either odor-based or taste-based.
Odor-based products, which often contain ingredients like putrefied eggs, garlic, or predator urine, work by mimicking danger or creating an unpleasant smell that deters deer from approaching the area.
Taste-based repellents function by coating the bark and foliage with substances that are bitter or foul-tasting, such as capsaicin from hot peppers or certain soap-like compounds. The deer is deterred after taking the initial bite, protecting the plant from further browsing. Many high-quality commercial products are formulated to incorporate both smell and taste deterrents, providing a dual layer of protection.
The main drawback of all repellents is their temporary nature; they must be reapplied frequently, especially after heavy rain or when new growth appears. Deer can also become accustomed to a single repellent over time, a phenomenon called habituation, which reduces its effectiveness. Therefore, rotating between two or three different types of repellents with distinct active ingredients can help maintain a consistent level of deterrence.
Strategic Landscape Management
Broader landscape strategies focus on either completely excluding deer from an area or diverting their destructive rubbing behavior to less valuable targets.
For full-area protection of high-value plantings, exclusion fencing is the standard, although it requires a fence at least eight feet tall to prevent deer from jumping over it. A less visually intrusive alternative is a double-strand fence, which uses two parallel fences spaced about four to five feet apart.
Deer have poor depth perception, and this two-fence system creates a visual illusion that they are hesitant to jump into or over, allowing for a lower fence height of four to six feet. Electric fencing, especially a multi-strand setup angled outward at a 45-degree angle, can also be an effective psychological barrier. The shock provides negative reinforcement, training the deer to avoid the entire fenced area.
A diversion tactic involves creating “sacrificial rubs” or decoy rubs to draw the buck’s attention away from ornamental trees. This is done by strategically placing stout wooden posts or thick, less valuable trees in the landscape and coating them with a scent attractant or deer lure. Bucks are drawn to these prepared posts, satisfying their need to rub and mark territory on a designated, expendable object.