Newly Planted Trees Deer: How to Protect Your Trees from Deer

As a gardener or landowner, you may have experienced the frustration of deer grazing on your newly planted trees. Deer can be a significant threat to trees, especially when they are young and vulnerable. Not only can they cause damage to the bark and branches, but they can also eat the leaves, flowers, and buds, which can stunt the tree's growth or even kill it. In this article, we will discuss some effective ways to protect your newly planted trees from deer.

Understanding Deer Behavior

Before discussing the solutions, it's essential to understand why deer are attracted to your trees in the first place. Deer are herbivorous animals, and they feed on a variety of plants, including trees. They are attracted to the soft, tender bark, buds, and leaves of young trees because they are easier to chew and digest than mature trees' tougher bark. In addition, during winter, when food is scarce, deer may turn to trees as a source of nutrition. Understanding these factors can help us devise strategies to protect our trees from deer.

Physical Barriers

One of the most effective ways to protect your newly planted trees from deer is by using physical barriers. Physical barriers are physical objects that prevent deer from accessing your trees. There are several types of physical barriers you can use, including:

• Fencing: You can install a fence around your trees to keep deer out. The fence should be at least 6 feet tall and have a mesh size of no more than 4 inches to prevent deer from squeezing through. You can also add an electric wire to deter deer from jumping over the fence.
• Netting: You can cover your trees with netting to prevent deer from reaching them. Netting should be secured tightly to prevent deer from getting tangled up in it.
• Tree Wraps: You can wrap your trees with a plastic or metal sheet to protect the bark from deer rubbing their antlers against it. Tree wraps should be installed properly to prevent moisture buildup and allow air circulation.

Repellents

Another way to protect your newly planted trees from deer is by using repellents. Repellents are substances that deer find unpleasant, and they will avoid areas where they are applied. There are several types of repellents you can use, including:

• Scent-based repellents: These repellents use strong odors, such as garlic or predator urine, to deter deer. You can apply these repellents directly to the trees or around the perimeter of your garden.
• Taste-based repellents: These repellents use bitter or spicy flavors, such as cayenne pepper, to make the trees unpalatable to deer. You can mix these repellents with water and spray them on the trees.
• Visual repellents: These repellents use visual cues, such as reflective tape or scarecrows, to scare deer away from your trees.

Planting Strategies

Finally, you can also protect your newly planted trees from deer by using planting strategies that make them less attractive to deer. Here are some planting strategies you can try:

• Choose deer-resistant tree species: Some tree species are less attractive to deer than others. You can choose tree species that are known to be deer-resistant, such as dogwood, hawthorn, or spruce.
• Use companion planting: You can plant other plants around your trees that deer find unappealing. For example, you can plant daffodils or alliums, which have a strong odor that repels deer.
• Use tree shelters: You can use tree shelters or tubes to protect your trees during their early stages of growth. Not only do these shelters protect the trees from deer, but they also provide protection from harsh weather conditions and pests.

Protecting your newly planted trees from deer requires a combination of strategies, including physical barriers, repellents, and planting strategies. By understanding deer behavior and using these strategies, you can ensure that your trees grow healthy and strong, free from deer damage.

A deer eating tree bark

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