Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jaume on June 17, 2010 at 3:55am

A deer concrete statue might be a good deterrent.

Permalink Reply by GOPI KANTA GHOSH on June 17, 2010 at 9:59am

Good...why should you?

Permalink Reply by Chuck G on June 17, 2010 at 3:16pm

I would wrap the trunks of all small trees with loose chicken wire up to the browse line(about 7 feet-2 mtrs). Leave it loose so the trees can grow, and leave on until the trees get pretty thick bark, like when they are about 6 inches(16cm) in caliper or diameter. It is important to protect the bark, because deer will chew off the bark in winter, if they are hungry. In order to protect the lower branches, if you need to, you'll probably have to create a small fence(or hoop of chicken wire) around the trees until they have enough branches above the browse line so the deer can have the lower limbs.

You may be able to exclude the deer from your property with an electric fence, run outside the current fence, so the deer touches it as it approaches the other fence. It will probably associate the shock with the main fence, and just stay away.

The third thing is just to plant deer resistant plants. If you live in a cooler, moist acid soil areas, most of the Azalea family plants are deer proof. Alternatively, if you live in a hot dry alkaline soil areas like most of the west and southwest, many Mediterranean plants that are also herbs are deer resistant because of their strong tastes; plants like Rosemary- a shrub, and Bay Laurel; and big shrub/small bushy tree; and the manzanitas - native small trees. Many natives to your area probably are naturally deer resistant, plus tolerant to your weather and soil; thus ecologically smart to plant.

Permalink Reply by Aric on July 16, 2010 at 11:29pm

I've got two dogs. They haven't been outside much this summer since it's been 100 degrees and up every day where I live, but there is still plenty of dog pee and poop around the yard. It doesn't keep the deer away. I thought about using coyote urine but then my dogs would roll in it and come in the house smelling like coyote urine. I've had to just put temporary fences around my trees. Once the trees are large enough that the deer won't hurt them, I'll remove the fence.