‘Tis the season for colorful leaves, cooler temperatures, football … and deer. Hunter’s hearts may be pumping, but homeowners with young trees beware! Mating season for deer may bring some serious damage to smaller trees.

Itchy Antlers?

Not quite! ‘The Rut’ is the time of year when bucks (male deer) compete to win over the does (female deer). One way of marking their territory and intimidating other bucks is to rub their antlers against unsuspecting trees. “Rubs” can significantly damage and weaken trees – even to the point it cannot recover.

Need to Know

• Typically from early September through November
• Most susceptible are young trees approximately 1-3 inches in diameter with a smooth bark – maples, magnolias, birches – although no tree is ‘off limits’
• Deer tend to return to trees they have already damaged – to do even more damage
• If damage wraps half way around the tree, usually it will not recover.

What Can I Do?

If deer frequently drop by your home or neighborhood, Bryon Rinkenberger, nursery manager at Hoerr Nursery recommends installing a tree guard.

“If the tree guard is installed before any rub damage, we have a 100% success rate at the tree farm – however, if the tree has been rubbed before, it won’t stop them from rubbing again.”

Unlike plastic pipe and film wraps, the rigid, open mesh style are super easy to install and allow water and light to reach the tree and provide plenty of air circulation.

Source: University of Idaho Extension [PDF]