Will Deer Eat Evergreen Trees?

Deer are a major cause of evergreen mortality in home gardens. Deer often feed on the green needles of evergreen trees and shrubs in the winter when they have few other sources of food available. Deer-proofing your property to protect evergreens can be a frustrating task and results of different methods vary from location to location. According to West Virginia University, an integrated pest management plan that includes careful plant selection, deer exclusion and proper use of repellents on evergreens is the best way to protect evergreen plants on your property.

Several species of evergreens are considered deer resistant and are a good choice for landscapes where deer damage of evergreen plants is a persistent problem. American holly (Ilex opaca) is a fast-growing evergreen that is easy to grow and has sharp, pointed leaves that discourage deer and other animals from feeding on them in winter. Junipers, pines and spruces are all noted for their deer resistance as well, according to Penn State Cooperative Extension. However, because an evergreen is said to be deer resistant does not mean that it is deer proof. Factors such as starvation and lack of alternative food sources may drive deer to feed on deer-resistant plants.

Creating a physical barrier around your evergreen plants is an effective way to prevent deer damage. Deer can jump over fences up to 8 feet tall. However, planting smaller wire fences that angle away from the plants is an effective way to discourage deer from jumping over without having to invest in large-scale fencing. In addition, small electric fences are an alternative to traditional fencing and are highly effective; a light shock will keep deer away from your plants throughout the year.

Repellents that taste or smell bad to deer are highly effective when sprayed on evergreen plants. Several liquid repellents are readily available at home and garden stores, but simple concoctions that combine chili peppers and vinegar or other foul tasting ingredients are effective as well. Experiment with a repellent recipe to find out what works on your property.

Providing foraging plants that deer prefer to feed on such as garden lilies, hostas and apple trees may help prevent deer from feeding on your evergreens. Planting additional plants does require extra time and effort, but decoy plantings can be especially useful when used in conjunction with other prevention methods such as exclusion and repellents.