Property owners often face a challenge when establishing fruit trees, as white-tailed deer frequently browse on the tender growth, causing significant damage that can stunt development or even kill young plants. While no fruit tree is completely immune to a hungry deer, selecting certain varieties can dramatically reduce the likelihood of browsing. Understanding the specific characteristics that deter deer is the first step toward mitigating risk and protecting your orchard investment. Strategic planting choices can lessen the need for constant vigilance and physical barriers.
Factors Affecting Deer Palatability
A deer’s diet is primarily dictated by a plant’s nutritional value and its defensive characteristics. Trees with a coarse or fuzzy texture on their leaves and stems are often less appealing to deer, who generally prefer smooth, tender foliage. The presence of secondary metabolites, which are non-nutritional chemical compounds, significantly influences a tree’s resistance.
Chemical deterrents include astringent compounds like tannins, which create a dry, puckering sensation in the mouth, or bitter-tasting alkaloids. Some trees produce aromatic compounds that give off a strong scent, signaling that the plant may be unpalatable or toxic. Beyond taste and texture, the sap content and digestibility of the plant material play a role in a deer’s foraging decision. Deer often ignore these natural defenses during periods of high nutritional stress, such as severe winter weather or drought, when food options are extremely limited.
Fruit Trees That Deer Typically Avoid
Some fruit trees possess natural defenses that make them consistently less desirable browse for deer. The Pawpaw tree, which produces a tropical-like fruit, is one of the most deer-resistant choices due to the presence of acetogenins in its leaves and twigs. These compounds are mildly toxic and give the foliage a flavor that deer instinctually avoid.
American Persimmon trees also demonstrate high resistance, especially their unripe fruit and foliage, which are extremely high in tannins. This astringency makes the plant unappealing to browse, acting as a natural taste repellent. Certain varieties of Asian Pears, such as ‘Kieffer’ or ‘Orient,’ are often overlooked by deer, possibly due to their harder wood, rougher leaves, or specific chemical profiles. Plums, particularly the American plum species (Prunus americana), are generally preferred, but some cultivars with higher bitterness are browsed less frequently.
Common Fruit Trees Deer Prefer
In contrast to resistant varieties, common fruit trees are highly attractive to deer and represent a significant risk to growers. Apple trees and crabapples are perhaps the most preferred, as their fruit is a high-energy food source rich in carbohydrates and sugars, which deer seek out, particularly in the fall. Cherry trees are similarly favored for their sweet fruit and tender, easily digestible leaves and twigs.
Pear trees are also a popular food source, offering a sweet, nutritious snack. Deer are especially drawn to young trees because the new growth is soft, highly palatable, and conveniently located at an accessible height. If left unprotected, these vulnerable young trees are frequently browsed down to the main trunk, which can cause irreparable damage and prevent them from reaching maturity.
Physical and Chemical Deterrents
Since natural resistance is not absolute, combining smart planting with active deterrents offers the best protection for fruit trees. Physical barriers provide the most reliable defense, effectively excluding deer from the plants. Individual trees can be protected with wire cages or tree tubes, which should be four to six feet tall to prevent browsing and buck rub damage.
For larger areas, a woven wire fence, at least 7.5 to 8 feet high, is the surest method to prevent deer from jumping into an orchard. Electric fencing is a less expensive option that works by delivering a mild shock, conditioning the deer to avoid the area.
Chemical repellents, which are either taste-based or odor-based, can be sprayed directly onto the foliage. Taste-based repellents, often containing ingredients like rotten eggs or capsaicin, make the plant unappetizing. Odor-based sprays use foul smells, such as dried blood, to deter approach. Repellents must be reapplied frequently, especially after rainfall or when new growth appears, as their effectiveness diminishes over time.