Deer … The bark is the star of the show in winter; it is uniquely red-bronze differing from the silvery grey of most flowering cherry trees. The only fatality was the ‘Appalachian Spring’ … Deer damage is a problem in many backyards during the winter months. A new tree could grow from below the damage but it would be a long process to turn it into as great of a tree as this Yoshino was. If it isn’t illegal and there is a sizable population, a solution for some of you is hunting. Most times, the tree will need to be removed. Q. I have a weeping cherry tree that I planted a couple of years ago, and a buck has rubbed the bark off with his antlers. The Yoshino flowering cherry has light pink flower buds and white, slightly fragrant blossoms. They will thumb their metaphorical noses and barge right in for a little nosh. This is when the bark has been scraped away all the way around the trunk. After the damage is done, there is not much that can be done other than care for the tree to promote faster healing… This type of fencing is pricey and unsightly to some, but it is extremely effective, requires little maintenance and will last quite a long time. There are dormant buds below the bark of most trees. Vertebrate pests such as voles, deer, rabbits, and raccoons can cause damage both to young trees and in mature orchards. The question is then, how to protect your fruit trees from deer? When deer rub on trees it is often a death sentence for the tree. Unfortunately, once the damage is done, there is little that can be done to repair the tree. Q. To make your property stand out, try enticing bucks, does and other wildlife with something sweet — trees laden with plump, succulent, energy-packed fruit. When a tree has been damaged by removing a ring of bark, the tree may die depending on how completely it was girdled. Monitor for Pests and diseases. Preventing Future Deer Damage to Young Trees The ultimate solution to dealing with deer is to prevent it from ever happening. While they may not actually be eating the fruit, the real issue is the nibbling away at tender shoots, resulting in a compromised harvest. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Rutgers University Extension: Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance, The Nursery at Ty-Ty: Japanese Flowering Cherry Trees, Backwoods Home Magazine: Here's a Mighty Creative Way to Protect Your Plants from Animals. To repair this type of damage, cut off any ragged bark edges with a sharp knife. The tree has alternate leaves with a finely toothed margin, inconspicuous glands on the stem, and yellow-brown pubescence on the underside of the leaf. A free range dog works best, as the deer are smart enough to figure out that a chained hound has limitations. Mulch 2-3 inches deep, extending 3-4 feet around the base of the tree, using shredded leaves or other organic matter. Deer have their preferences for nibbling, but young bark is especially appealing due to its flavor and tenderness. TRUNK WOUNDS AND DECAYUrban and suburban trees are more likely to have wounds and decay than trees in native stands because people cause most wounds. Contact repellent, those that deter due to taste include rotten eggs, thiram and hot pepper sauce and should be applied on a dry day when the temp is above freezing. Deer feed on the tender shoots of dwarf and young trees whose lowly stature makes them easy pickings. The Kwanzan flowering cherry tree is a Japanese flowering cherry tree that has black bark and pink blossoms. Removal of even a vertical strip of bark less than one-fourth the circumference of the tree will harm the tree, but not kill the tree. 8 oz. The descriptions below can provide information on each technique. Remove the new branches unless you feel they add to the aesthetics of the tree. 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