How to Protect Trees From Deer Damage

For most newly planted trees, deer are their biggest nightmares. From layers of torn tree bark to several broken branches, deer damage is a common end to smaller trees that have yet to be established.

Not to mention, deer can negatively affect the visual appearance of a perfectly planted landscape too. There is nothing more frustrating than seeing bark that has been peeled away from your newly planted trees.

However, Nature Hills understands that some gardeners enjoy watching natural wildlife, such as deer, go about a peaceful day in their back or front yard. Which is exactly why this blog will cover how to protect your new trees, while still being able to host a group of

How To Protect Your New Trees

Deer damage is usually a common result of males scraping their antlers against the trunk of various trees. After some time of constant rubbing, serious damage starts to occur as the velvet of the bark is sheared off.

Now, the males can polish their antlers even more by continuing to rub against the newly exposed bark. This can be seen at any time during the year.

However, during mating season the number of trees damaged begins to increase. Male deer will use trees as a way to ‘mark their territory’ and to signal other males to stay away.

When the young bark of your trees is damaged, it can be an entry point for insects or disease. If the outside bark is completely damaged around the entire trunk, that tree will die as it is no longer able to transport nutrients from the leaves to the roots.

Not only will deer continuously rub against the bark of a tree, but you may also find the soil around your tree dug up slightly or a few branches that have been broken then chewed upon. Each are ways that deer can damage your trees.

If you have noticed that deer have been pestering your trees, they are likely to keep coming back.

Physical Barriers

The best way to protect your trees is to prevent the deer from having close access to the tree trunk or low hanging branches. Physical barriers are effective and offer a variety of choices depending on the size of the property and aesthetic preferences!

Below are the top suggestions of physical barriers to create a deer proof yard.

Surround tree trunks with protective wrap or tree guards.

Most commonly seen as a physical barrier is paper or plastic tree wrap. You have probably noticed a tree tube here and there as it easily protects those young trees or even thin-barked trees from deer rubbing.

Not to mention, they are easy to set up and don’t take up space in the landscape. Make sure the plastic tube is white or a lighter color so that the tree trunk doesn’t undergo extra heat from the sun.

Some individuals have even used chicken wire to shield the tree trunk or the cliche vinyl spiral wrap. These allow the tree to still grow completely naturally.

However, you will want to replace the wraps every few months. This makes sure that there is no moisture building up or insects starting to infest.

Install a deer-proof fence around the perimeter of your property.

Property fences ensure that browsing deer cannot enter your property at all if they are tall enough (about 8 feet). It’s easy to decorate with conventional residential fencing as well. Wooden, plastic and metal fencing each can keep deer damage from taking a toll in your yard.

If you are looking to still attract wildlife into the landscape, this physical barrier may not be the way to go as it is effective in completely keeping deer out.

Circle your trees with wire metal cages.

Again, you may have seen this physical barrier in other yards or business landscapes. These cages should stand at least 6 feet tall and should be positioned a few feet away from the base of your young trees. Wooden stakes will need to be placed in the ground with the cage for extra support.

It’s a good idea to use these metal cages as a support system against harsh weather conditions too. Take thin rope or strong string and tie multiple pieces to the trunk of the tree then to the metal cage in a balanced manner. On windy days, this will help keep your new tree stable and straight during its first growing season.

Other Ways Of Protection

Beyond fencing and guards, there are other multiple ways to protect your young trees. Depending on your preferences, these following protectants might be better options for you:

Remove plants from your landscape that deer are known to love. Some plants are known to specifically attract deer, so removing those from a landscape will help decrease the damage caused.
Planting deer resistant trees is a natural way to avoid deer damage, so try to choose plants that deer dislike. We have listed a few below!
Install motion-detector sprinklers to increase the chance of scaring deer away.
Use deer repellent to make trees smell and taste bad to the browsing deer. It's good practice to spray your tree before nightfall just to remind deer that they don’t like your new plant.

Top Deer Resistant Trees

There are a few trees that deer don’t like the taste of as much as others. We like to refer to these trees as deer resistant or trees that are less bothered by deer in many areas.

River Birch

The River Birch tree is extremely versatile and one of our favorite deciduous trees. It is heat tolerant, fast growing and features a pyramidal growth habitat that rounds out over the years. River Birches work well as a single specimen, screen, natural grouping or even shelterbelt.

Hungry deer seem to rarely bother the peeling cinnamon-brown bark and glossy green leaves. That leaves you with an impeccable shade tree in the front or back yard.

American Beech

We aren’t sure how deer don’t instantly fall in love with an American Beech upon sight. We know we sure do! This excellent wildlife tree has smooth gray bark and dark green leaves that slowly turn into a golden-bronze autumn shade.

Plant an American Beech in the landscape and deer will rarely ever pay it a visit.

D.D Blanchard Southern Magnolia

Magnolias are known to not attract deer while looking pretty when doing it. The D.D Blanchard Southern Magnolia tree has huge cup-shaped blossoms that fill the air with a lemon fragrance during the spring.

Maybe deer don’t necessarily like lemons? We aren’t certain. But, we are certain that this Magnolia tree makes for an excellent visual screen and amazing floral arrangements.

Mimosa Tree

There is nothing better than having the most unique tree on the block. The Mimosa Tree’s tropical pink blooms and fern-like foliage is not a fan favorite of deer, but is a fan favorite of butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators.

Place this tree in a sunny area for a little extra shade underneath its wide spreading canopy. Or use it as a backdrop at the back of your garden. We assure you it will still stand out amongst the rest --just not to the deer!

Bald Cypress

Plant a Bald Cypress tree and enjoy a deer free yard, while watching its dark green leaves transform into a cinnamon red fall color before your eyes. Years upon years, this long-lived tree will grow tall and strong.

Young trees can’t defend themselves against antler-rubbing and hungry deer, so you have to be the shoulder they lean on. Protect your newly planted trees from deer with physical barriers and more or invest in a few deer resistant plants; your garden will thank you for it.

Happy planting!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I protect tree trunks from deer rubbing and bark damage?

Physical barriers are your most reliable defense against deer rubbing damage to tree trunks. Wrap the trunk with paper or plastic tree wrap, or use a tree tube or tree guard that physically prevents deer from making contact with the bark. This is especially important for young, newly planted trees and thin-barked species, as complete bark removal around the trunk will kill the tree by cutting off nutrient transport. Install your protective wrap or guard at planting time and check it regularly, particularly as mating season approaches when buck activity and territorial rubbing intensifies.

Can a young tree recover from deer damage to its bark or branches?

Whether a young tree can recover from deer damage depends largely on the extent of the injury. If deer have rubbed or stripped bark from only one side of the trunk, the tree has a reasonable chance of recovery as it can still transport nutrients between leaves and roots. However, if the bark is completely girdled around the entire circumference of the trunk, the tree will not survive. Assess the damage immediately after discovery and apply a physical barrier like a tree tube or protective wrap to prevent further rubbing while the tree attempts to heal.

Can you save a tree that has been completely girdled by deer?

Unfortunately, a tree that has been completely girdled, meaning the bark has been stripped all the way around the trunk, will not survive because it can no longer transport nutrients between the leaves and roots. If the damage is only partial, say less than half the circumference, the tree may recover with proper care and protection. Act quickly by wrapping the exposed area with grafting tape or tree wrap to reduce moisture loss and prevent insect or disease entry. Going forward, install a tree guard or wire cage around the trunk immediately to prevent further deer damage while the tree attempts to heal.

How tall should a deer fence or tree cage be to keep deer from reaching trees?

Deer can jump surprisingly high, so any fence or tree cage used to protect your trees should be at least 8 feet tall to prevent them from leaping over. For individual tree cages or wire cylinders placed directly around a trunk, aim for a minimum height of 6 feet and position the barrier at least 18 inches away from the trunk so deer cannot reach through and cause damage. Install your protective barriers before deer activity peaks during mating season in fall to get ahead of the most intense period of antler rubbing and territory marking.

Are tree guards, wraps, tubes, or wire cylinders better for protecting small trees from deer?

Each option has its strengths depending on your situation. Paper or plastic tree wrap and tree tubes are ideal for young, thin-barked trees and are easy to install, while wire cylinders offer more robust, long-term protection and allow for better airflow around the trunk. For newly planted trees, tree tubes are especially effective because they protect against both antler rubbing and browsing on low branches. Choose wire cylinders with openings no larger than 2 inches for the best deer deterrence, and install any barrier immediately after planting rather than waiting for damage to occur.

Do deer repellent sprays actually work on trees, and how often do they need to be reapplied?

Deer repellent sprays can be effective as a supplemental deterrent, but they work best when used alongside physical barriers like tree wraps or tree guards rather than as a standalone solution. Most spray repellents need to be reapplied every 30 days or after significant rainfall, and during peak mating season in fall you may need to increase that frequency. Look for products containing putrescent egg solids or capsaicin, which have shown the strongest results in studies. Apply repellent sprays starting in early spring and maintain a consistent schedule through late fall to give your newly planted trees the best protection during their most vulnerable establishment years.

Can you use deer and rabbit repellent sprays on the same plants at the same time?

Yes, deer and rabbit repellent sprays can generally be used on the same plants at the same time, as most commercial repellents are formulated to deter a range of wildlife and are safe to combine. Many products already target both animals using scent and taste deterrents like putrescent egg solids, garlic, or capsaicin. Reapply every 30 days or after heavy rainfall for consistent protection, and always read the product label to confirm compatibility before mixing or layering sprays.

When is the most important time of year to protect trees from deer damage?

While deer can damage trees at any time of year, the most critical period is during mating season when male deer dramatically increase their rubbing behavior to mark territory and signal rival males. This seasonal surge in activity makes younger, newly planted trees especially vulnerable to having their bark stripped away. Year-round vigilance is still essential, so install physical barriers like tree wraps or tree tubes around trunks as soon as you plant to ensure your trees are protected before deer activity picks up.

Do deer eat mulberry trees, and how do you keep deer away from fruit trees?

Deer will browse mulberry trees and most other fruit trees, feeding on tender new growth, low-hanging branches, and young bark, especially during late fall and winter when other food sources are scarce. Male deer also cause significant damage by rubbing their antlers against trunks to mark territory and polish antlers, which can girdle and kill a young tree entirely. To protect fruit trees, wrap the lower trunk with a plastic or paper tree guard and install a wire cage or fencing at least 8 feet tall around the tree, since deer can jump surprisingly high. For the best results, put these protections in place at the time of planting rather than waiting for damage to appear.

How do I know if deer or another animal is responsible for the damage on my trees?

Deer damage has a few telltale signs that set it apart from other animals: look for bark that has been scraped or shredded in an upward tearing motion, typically between 2 and 6 feet above the ground, along with hoof prints or disturbed soil around the base of the tree. Rabbits and rodents, by contrast, tend to gnaw cleanly and work closer to the ground, usually below 2 feet. If you also notice broken low-hanging branches that appear chewed, this further points to deer activity, especially during fall mating season when territorial rubbing increases. Inspect your trees regularly and install protective tree wrap or tree guards as soon as you identify deer as the culprit to prevent further damage.