Keeping landscape deer-free

1/8/2015 - South Side Leader

Deer damage to ornamental plants is an increasing problem. Deer populations in neighborhoods have grown rapidly due to abandoned farms, hunting restrictions and suburban sprawl. And they are dining on expensive suburban landscapes especially in areas with heavy snowfall in the woods. In those areas, front and backyard plantings can serve as easy winter forage.

Deer are selective feeders that eat leaves from flowers, shrubs and ornamental trees, said Tchukki Andersen, BCMA, CTSP and a staff arborist with the Tree Care Industry Association. Damage to larger trees can extend up to 7 feet off the ground.

In some areas, deer damage peaks in winter when snow cover reduces the food supply. Most areas with overpopulated deer herds experience problems year-round. The availability of natural food sources and the taste preferences of individual deer make deer-proofing a landscape difficult task in many areas.

Deer will eat almost any plant rather than starve, so damage-control measures will be needed in addition to careful plant selection, said Andersen. Use of fencing and repellents can help control deer damage to landscapes.

A fence is the most effective control against deer damage. An 8-foot fence is generally sufficient to deter deer, and lower fences can work if they slant away from the yard. Tree protectors or shelters also prevent deer from browsing on young trees. Made of polypropylene tubing, plastic tree wrap or woven-wire mesh cylinders, netting can be used to protect individual or group plantings. The netting can be left on year-round if its attached loosely at the base to allow for plant growth, but should be monitored frequently.

Repellents may help deter deer, but they do not eliminate damage completely. Homemade repellents include rotting eggs (mix two eggs with 1 gallon of water and spray the mixture on ornamentals). The eggs rot on the plants and the smell repels deer. Human hair hung in mesh bags makes a simple repellent. Hang the hair bags on the outer branches of trees about a yard apart and replace them monthly. Bars of strong-smelling soap hung in the same way also will work. This is a good way to make use of all those aromatic Christmas gift soaps you dont plan to use. Repellents containing predator urine or spray-on, soap-based mixtures usually only last a few weeks, depending on the weather.

Once deer taste your garden, it is difficult to get rid of them. Replacing the current mix of trees and shrubs with less appealing plants will help move the herd to other sites.

The Tree Care Industry Association recommends planting trees that have a history of surviving areas of heavy deer activity, such as:

Check with local garden centers or tree care companies for more on trees and shrubs that are the least appealing to deer.

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Keeping landscape deer-free