{"id":4406,"date":"2019-01-07T14:57:40","date_gmt":"2019-01-07T14:57:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nurserymen.com\/store\/?page_id=4406"},"modified":"2026-02-20T19:17:53","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T19:17:53","slug":"protecting-evergreens-from-deer-damage","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.nurserymen.com\/store\/protecting-evergreens-from-deer-damage\/","title":{"rendered":"Deer Repellents – protecting young evergreen trees"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"evergreen<\/a>
home made deer protection cage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Deer will eat almost anything when their favorite food sources run out…including all species of evergreens. For us here in Michigan, all species of Cedar seem to get hit the hardest [and firstest], Pines tend to be next [higher sugar content in the needles], then firs due to their large, soft needles, and spruces tend to be last [pungens is latin for “sharp”. In truth, virtually no evergreens are safe when a deer is really hungry. If you haven’t eaten in days, would you pass up a PBJ while looking for a cheeseburger?<\/p>\n

It is generally best to choose evergreen species which are suitable for the area in which you intend to plant, because trees ill-suited to the location will probably not be around long enough to bother protecting. Our evergreen tree buyers guide<\/a> is a good place to start. \u00a0Once you’ve made wise species selections,\u00a0you can then develop a plan to protect them from deer.<\/p>\n

Protecting young evergreen trees from deer damage<\/h2>\n

Once the trees are several feet tall, deer browsing damage is generally not fatal, but it will set the trees back a year or two. To assist the trees through this vulnerable time, you can buy deer repellents such as synthetic coyote urine or other chemical deterrents [Plantskydd], or you can put a home-made tube of chicken wire over the tree and stake it down…but that is a lot of work.<\/p>\n