Deer browse is a feeding behavior specific to deer and other ungulates that involves consuming the leaves, soft shoots, twigs, and buds of woody plants, such as shrubs and trees. This forage forms a primary, year-round component of a deer’s diet, providing necessary nutrition, especially during winter months when other food sources are scarce. When deer populations are high, this feeding can lead to noticeable and often severe effects on local plant life and become a significant issue in land management.
Browse Versus Grazing
The term “browse” is used to distinguish the consumption of woody growth from “grazing,” which refers to animals feeding on low-growing herbaceous plants like grasses and forbs. Deer are generally classified as browsers, targeting the new growth of shrubs and trees, while grazers like cattle and sheep target ground-level vegetation.
A crucial distinction in the feeding mechanism of deer is the absence of upper incisor teeth. Deer have a hard dental pad on their upper jaw, which they use in combination with their lower incisors to grasp and detach vegetation. This anatomical limitation means that deer cannot make a clean cut when they eat. Consequently, they must tear or pull the plant material, creating a ragged, shredded, or frayed appearance at the point of detachment, which contrasts sharply with the clean cut left by a grazer.
Identifying Deer Browse Damage
The clearest evidence of deer activity is the characteristic ragged or torn edges left on stems and twigs, resulting from the deer’s feeding method. Deer prefer the terminal buds and young shoots of woody plants, which contain concentrated nutrients. The removal of these specific parts directly inhibits the plant’s ability to grow vertically and branch out.
Damage from deer tends to occur within a specific vertical range known as the “browse line.” This line marks the maximum height a deer can comfortably reach to feed, typically extending up to about six feet above the ground. Below this line, shrubs and trees may show heavy pruning or a lack of foliage, while the growth above remains untouched. Observing this distinct horizontal cutoff is a strong indicator of consistent deer browsing pressure.
Secondary evidence found nearby can confirm the presence of deer. This includes fresh deer tracks in soft soil or snow, identified by the two-part, heart-shaped print. The presence of deer pellet droppings, which are usually dark, cylindrical, and clustered, also serves as a helpful clue. These physical signs, combined with the specific visual damage to the plants, provide a clear picture of the cause of the injury.
Impact on Plant Communities and Land
Sustained, heavy deer browsing fundamentally alters the structure and composition of plant communities. Deer are selective in their feeding, preferring palatable species like sugar maple or oak seedlings. This selective pressure suppresses regeneration, leading to a decline in favored species. Over time, the forest understory shifts to become dominated by less palatable, “browse-resistant” species that deer avoid.
This intense feeding pressure severely impacts forest regeneration, particularly for young trees. By repeatedly consuming the terminal buds, deer prevent seedlings and saplings from growing tall enough to escape the browse line. This chronic stunting can create a “browse desert,” an understory with an open, park-like appearance where young woody plants cannot grow beyond a deer’s reach. The long-term absence of new tree growth can lead to a decline in species diversity and the failure of the forest to replace its canopy.
High deer populations can cause economic loss in horticulture and agriculture. Deer readily consume agricultural crops and ornamental plantings, especially in areas where natural browse is limited. Damage to commercial orchards, tree nurseries, and residential landscaping results in significant financial consequences for landowners and businesses.