Getting out of bed in the morning and glancing out your window only to see your arborvitae destroyed can be heartbreaking. The fact that green growth is still present from the center upwards and seems unaltered is even more strange. Deer are most likely the offender. Our Tri-Cities landscaping experts at Promier Tree understand how it can be frustrating to find a half-eaten evergreen, despite your continuous efforts to maintain its health. Therefore, today on the blog, we share how to protect your arborvitae from deer damage so that you can encourage healthy growth and protect your trees.
What plant and tree types do deer eat?
Small herbaceous plants, trees, and shrubs, as well as a wide range of other plants, are all consumed by deer. Deer strain on suburban landscapes increases sharply as food sources in the forest become sparse in the winter. Deer are commonly seen during this time of year, munching on evergreen trees and shrubs, including arborvitae, rhododendron, yew, hemlock, and euonymus. Small trees and bushes that lose their leaves in the winter can also be consumed, although this is less common because it is easier to find alternative food sources. Our landscape pros in Johnson City explain that deer will alter their diet when new vegetation sprouts up, and more succulent plants are brought in by spring and summer. The demand for evergreen plants throughout the growing season is frequently lessened by the preference for the tender leaf and shoots, which are far more nutrient-dense and hence favored when available.
How much damage can a deer cause to a landscape?
The amount of harm deer will cause to a landscape can be controlled by several things, as outlined below.
- Health
- Damage history
- Food availability
- Damage History
- Weather conditions
- Alternative site accessibility
- Local population size Individual and collective experiences
How can I keep deer away from my landscaping?
Understanding the above elements and disrupting the deer’s routine behavior are the keys to minimizing deer browsing. Fortunately, you can protect your landscaping elements by using the following methods, according to our Bristol landscape experts.
Deer fencing
Deer fence comes in a variety, from fencing off specific plants to enclosing a whole yard. Even while this could be a more long-lasting option, there are drawbacks, such as the expense. If required, black netting solutions are available, or a wooden fence can also suffice as a privacy screen.
Given their remarkable leaping ability, deer must be kept out by a fence that’s at least 8 feet high to prevent them from jumping over. Another aspect commonly ignored is the possibility that deer might end up on the wrong side of the fence, making it less effective. This can happen if the fencing is incomplete or if the gates don’t completely close off the yard.
Deer-resistant plants
Planting deer-resistant plants is a practical option if you live near a large deer population. However, this limits the plant variety you can select and has no beneficial effect on any established perennials, trees, or shrubs.
Deer browse can be reduced by adding plants that are resistant to deer and using repellants. Additionally, this combination will enable you to build your landscape entirely with as much of the desired variety as possible. Check out UMass Amherst’s list of deer-resistant perennials for further information.
Deer repellents
Without any physical impediment, repellents imitate a fence’s function. Repellants can dissuade deer in several ways, either making the vegetation taste or smell terrible or spooking the deer into believing there are nearby predators. Repellents can be sprayed directly on plants or utilized to create a chemical barrier.
Depending on the number of deer, a customizable deer repellent program should occur either monthly or every other month. You might only require autumn and winter sprays if evergreens are the only plants that are being attacked. By altering their eating habits and enticing them to forage elsewhere, you can control your deer problems.
Landscaping experts in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee
You work hard to maintain your trees and shrubs, and it can be infuriating when a deer helps itself to your evergreens. With careful planning and action, you can protect your landscape from deer damage. However, if you’re unsure where to begin or need assistance in establishing a deer repellent plan, please call our Kingsport landscaping experts of Promier Landscapes at (423) 872-2988 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.