Few trees (especially young ones) will keep a desperate deer away. The deterrent will rot over time. Another management tip coming at ya! This is the new plot I had been planning out for a while and I have big plans for it! When planning landscapes with trees, perennials and ornamental trees, it is important to research their attractiveness to deer in order to avoid browsing damage when the cold season arrives. As stated above, deer eat different plants in different regions. Deer are instinctively hesitant to enter enclosed spaces, so even lower fences will help to deter deer. ones deer are least likely to eat. Let’s dive into the history of this willow-tree relative. A staple food source in the South, these trees produce a highly attractive nut that deer gravitate to. In general Weeping Willows are not a preferred deer browse. Constituents of Plant Cell Walls Unlike animals, plants have cells with rigid Copyright © 2019-2021, Sheridan Lawn and Landscaping, LLC. Each of these food items vary in availability, depending on the time of year and climatic conditions. Preferred or Best Liked There are very few trees that are entirely deer resistant. However if you are planting plugs or cuttings, they should be protected until well rooted because if a deer decides to sample it, they would likely be pulled out of the ground. We used an auger planting bit ($10 from hardware store) to drill the pilot holes for the cuttings. There are restrictions on deer hunting and there are decreasing amounts of natural predators that are partly the cause of these increased deer populations. Hang the tape from a cassette tape from tree branches. These varieties are eaten infrequently by deer and are good choices for a landscape where deer browsing is a problem. If you liked this article, please share. Old weeping willows with cavities in them supply nesting sites for animals that use tree hollows, and those animals include certain kinds of squirrels , possums and raccoons. Pussy willow trees are wetland plants in the wild. So, to help provide some guidance to those interested in providing valuable food, cover and/or shelter to white-tailed deer or other wildlife species on their properties, and who want to do it by planting native and/or non-invasive plants, I will offer some of my favorite alternatives to the Most Wanted list of “bad choice” plants out there. The hybrid willow screen trees came packaged in bundles of 100 cuttings. Mix a scented deterrent made of one part raw egg white and nine parts water. Don't let pesky deer stop you from getting the landscape of your dreams...see our Deer Resistant Trees & Shrubs for yourself! Are deer trampling your gardens and eating all your shrubs? More books about trees at the Trees Bookstore. These can include trees and shrubs from your landscape. An electric fence with tin foil or electrified tape on the fence will help to deter deer by delivering an electroshock to them. What Tree Can I Plant That a Deer Will Not Eat and Destroy? We like to call these types of trees/shrubs deer candy because deer go crazy for these plants. Similarly, it is asked, do squirrels eat willow trees? Hang mesh bags filled with … The following is a partial listing of tree and shrub species that are eaten by deer in the winter, arranged in order of quality and preference. Taste deterrents should be reapplied after each rainstorm. Since deer do not have as many hard mast tree options in the South as in the North, this is a welcomed food source for southern deer and deer hunters. Oftentimes found in large groves, they feed a lot of deer during peak drop times. How, exactly, do you discourage deer? She has published novels and numerous online articles. Hang flashing items, such as CDs, from trees. Protect all new plantings with netting until established, since deer notice any new additions to the garden and tend to be inquisitive feeders. Yet, in its native range this low-key tree is doing good things for deer, especially when it is filling nutrition gaps that other trees, forages or food plots don’t fill. Deer eat the leaves and branches. Our wide selection and easy growth make planting (and growing) effortless. Trees & Shrubs to Attract Deer. Pussy willows can be kept more compact and shrub-like through proper pruning. Besides offering good cover, the American plum has outstanding forage value for deer. See … Deer are often the cause of damage to trees by two ways, eating or rubbing or both. = Occasionally eaten / damaged, when no other plants are available & / or during severe winter. Deer eat weeping willows, but the hardy trees are deer-tolerant. Thanks! (Pine, Spruce, Fir) No tree is truly “deer resistant,” but there are a few types that deer typically steer clear of. You will need to replace the bags every few weeks with fresh hair or a new scent of soap for the bags to maintain their effectiveness. American plum trees serve two purposes in the deer woods. It probably is not a shock that the most common long term deer screening cover plantings are conifers, including: *White Pine *Red Cedar *White and Norway Spruce (determined by soil and shade tolerances) *Shrubs and fast growing trees such as hybrid poplar can also be an outstanding choice for long term deer screening cover varieties. Want to bring the graceful sight of deer to your landscape? One solution is to use deer resistant trees, or deer proof trees. Place the mixture in a spray bottle and spray it over the limbs of your trees. This listing is based on thousands of observations in deer wintering areas over many years from all parts of New York State. They are not invasive, but they do grow into a very large shrub/small tree. 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