7 Effective Ways to Protect Trees from Deer Damage

Protect trees from deer browsing with these techniques, tools, and plant choices.

While ornamental and edible gardens are prime targets, deer can also do major damage to trees. Knowing how to protect trees from deer and when to do so is critical if your local herd likes to stop by your yard. Here are the most effective ways to cut down on deer damage to your trees so they'll continue to grow and thrive for many years to come.

Related: What to Do with Storm-Damaged Trees in Your Yard

Which Trees to Protect from Deer

Smooth-barked trees are the most prone to bark damage from male deer rubbing the felt off their developing antlers during the fall breeding season or rut. Deer also damage trees in other ways. They like to nibble on tender buds—even going so far as to knock down a newly planted tree to reach the uppermost buds. And they definitely like to munch foliage, particularly evergreens in winter and deciduous trees in spring.

Deer damage is more likely to occur on younger trees, which are easier to reach and haven’t developed a thick, rough, protective bark yet. It is more common when the deer population is high and conditions are stressful, such as very cold temperatures and deep snow. Typically, deer browse on branches less than 1 inch in diameter. Leaves and twigs browsed by deer have a shredded appearance rather than the sharp, clean cut left by such animals as rabbits. 

Tips

Deer are creatures of habit and can be persistent in their browsing once they find a situation they like. Be proactive; don’t let them get in the habit of preying on your trees.

1. Fencing

A tall fence is a simple, surefire way of keeping deer out of your yard and away from your plants, but it’s better suited to protecting vegetable gardens in the country rather than trees in town. Deer are proficient jumpers so a 4-foot-tall chain-link fence won’t do the trick. A woven wire fence that is at least 9 feet tall is needed to exclude deer. You’ll need to check local regulations first, as many municipalities have fence height restrictions.

Related: How to Build a Fence for Your Yard

2. Wire Cylinders

A cost-effective and easy DIY solution to protect trees from deer is to cut to size a section of welded-wire fencing and form it into a cylinder around prized plants such as a Japanese maple or Eastern white pine. Secure the ends with zip ties. Leave the cylinders in place until the trees are large enough to avoid serious damage from deer.

3. Tree Guards

Tree guards protect the bark of deciduous trees from antler rubbing. They come in different diameters and lengths to accommodate most types of trees. Install them in late summer and remove in spring so they don’t harbor insects or nests during the summer.

Some people use tree guards made of wax-coated corrugated cardboard. Others use plastic gutter pipes, which are wider than tree guards and can be cut to any length. Avoid black plastic guards because they can heat up in sunlight and cause bark damage.

4. Tree Wrap

Tree wrap may be a better option than guards, as it can be used on a variety of trunk sizes and protects against nibbling, rubbing, and bark damage that results when tender bark warms up in winter sunlight and quickly freezes at sunset. Packaged tree wrap is made of paper, fabric, or polypropylene. Some people use burlap instead, but it’s important to remove tree wrap in spring to allow for new growth and to prevent insects from taking up residence.

5. Tree Tubes

Tree tubes are similar to tree guards but intended for very young saplings without lateral branches. The whip-like stems grow inside the tubes, which are made of a plastic that allows sunlight to reach the foliage inside. Some are ventilated, others are biodegradable. The idea behind tree tubes is that by the time the juvenile tree exceeds the height of a 5-foot tall tube, it is above browsing height and can succeed on its own. Tree tubes should be securely anchored to prevent deer from toppling them.

6. Repellents

Repellents are solutions sprayed on plants to deter animal browsing. Some repel deer with a disagreeable taste, such as hot pepper. Others rely on odor, such as predator urine, that frightens them away from the area or a bad smell from rotten eggs that simply discourages them.

The bad odor diminishes quickly as far as humans are concerned but remains effective on deer, which have a much more sensitive sense of smell. Repellents need to be reapplied regularly as the plant grows or when it rains. Some people use a homemade deer repellent.

7. Deer-Resistant Plants

When they’re very hungry and options are limited, deer will eat practically anything. However, some plants are less appealing than others. For example, while deer will eagerly nibble on a tender arborvitae, a similar-looking but pricklier juniper will be ignored. Pines, fir, and spruce are also known to resist deer.

Related: 11 Best Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Avoiding Browsing Damage