Deer damage
Deer tear off leaves and shoots, leaving ragged edges, and can strip plants up to about 6 feet (1.8 m) high.
What you'll see
- Leaves, buds and shoot tips torn off with ragged, jagged edges, from ground level up to about 6 feet (1.8 m).
- Hoof prints, pellet droppings and trampled plants nearby.
- Bark scraped and shredded on young trees where bucks rub their antlers.
Why it happens
Deer have no upper front teeth, so they tear plants rather than cutting them cleanly. Damage is usually worst in winter and wherever deer numbers are high.
How to fix it
- Fence the garden: a sturdy fence 7 to 8 feet (2.1 to 2.4 m) tall is the most reliable protection.
- Protect young trees with wire cages or tree tubes, which also stop antler rubbing.
- Use deer repellents on ornamentals exactly as the label says, and reapply often; many can't be used on food crops.
Keep it from coming back
- Choose plants deer seldom eat, knowing that hungry deer will eat almost anything.
- Start repellents as soon as you see deer, before they make a habit of visiting.
- Rotate repellents and scare devices, because deer get used to them quickly.
Sources
General guidance, not a diagnosis. For valuable, edible or outdoor crops, check with a local extension service or plant expert. Use any product exactly as its label says, and keep children and pets away while it dries.