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You are here: Experts > Homework Help > Trees > Trees > Deer damage
Trees - Deer damage
Expert: Jim Hyland - 11/7/2009
Question
Deer have stripped the bark from our very young maple trees and broken some branches. What should we do to fix the bark and keep the deer at bay?
Answer
The rubbing can kill the tree if the bark is rubbed off all the way around the trunk. Damage that completely encircles the tree's circumference is more deadly than damage up and down. This is because the tree's vascular system is just under the bark. Young trees have very thin bark that offers no protection from such damage. The bright green layer under the bark, called the cambium, is only a cell or two thick, and it gives rise to the tree's vascular system.
When a tree is damaged around its entire circumference, it is said to be girdled. Trees that are girdled often die because they can no longer transport water and nutrients. If the damage is most severe up and down on the trunk, the tree can survive, although the growth on that side might be less vigorous than the undamaged side.
Trees are capable of healing a surprising amount of damage on their own. Avoid the temptation to use a wound dressing. It may make you feel better -- like putting a Band-Aid on the wound -- but it can actually interfere with the tree's ability to heal itself.
Clean up the wound by cutting the loose bark from the edges.
, This will allow the wound to heal faster.
Since deer usually return to the same location, it is important to know how to protect trees from deer, especially if the trees have previously been damaged. There are several options for keeping deer away from trees. Trees can be surrounded with fencing or other suitable barriers to offer deer rub tree protection. The use of deer repellents can also be used for keeping deer away from trees.
Fencing is the most effective way how to protect trees from deer. If you have many trees, surround the entire area with woven-wire fencing. However, in order to be effective, it must be at least six to eight feet high and angled about thirty degrees. It is well known that deer are good jumpers and will clear vertical fences without difficulty.
Another way to provide protection is to wrap chicken wire around the trunk. Tree guards made of mesh plastic netting offer protection from deer. These can be spiral or welded. Tree guards simply wrap around the tree but still allow it to grow naturally. They are often available in rolls and can be cut to the required length. Plastic tubes or pipes can also be fitted around the trunks of trees in an effort to protect trees from deer.
Area repellents emit foul odors, which can deter deer from the general area. This type of deer repellent may be more effective for deer rub tree protection. Some people cut pieces of deodorant soap, placing them in mesh bags, and hanging the bags to tree branches (replacing monthly). Deer do not like the smell of the soap and are more likely to stay away.
There are several deer repellents on the market Here is a study that looked at several and the results http://www.walnutcouncil.org/deer_repellent_study.htm
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