Do deer eat juniper?
- Junipers as deer-resistant plants. Luckily, junipers have a much better record than arborvitaes for privacy planting.
- No way to completely deer-proof your landscape. Even as junipers offer excellent deer resistance, you must realize that...
- Preventing deer damage to your juniper plants. Because there is no way to stop deer from feeding on your...
What kind of trees do deer not eat?
The tulip poplar is a fast-growing shade tree that deer tend to ignore. Consider planting one of these beauties if you’ve got the room for it to really show off. Capable of reaching heights of 100 feet and more, tulip poplars grow at a potential rate of two feet or more a year. 5-6′ Bareroot or #3 Container Tulip Poplar, available from Nature Hills
What do trees do deer eat?
Will Deer Eat Evergreen Trees
- Yew
- Daylily
- Fir
- Arborvitae
- Indian Hawthorne
- English Ivy Planting Deer resistant evergreen trees To deter Deer from cherished evergreens, many growers typically use Deer resistant evergreens on the outsides, thereby protecting the more vulnerable trees. ...
- Fragrant plants such as peonies, lavenders, and bearded irises
Do deer eat Thuja arborvitae?
Eastern Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) is most susceptible to severe damage, while western redcedars (Thuja plicata) are the least susceptible of the arborvitae family. No arborvitae is completely safe from deer, however. When deer eat arborvitae, they graze on the greenery from the bottom of the tree to as high as they can reach.
Do deer eat aquatic plants?
The short answer is yes. Deer feed on many things including aquatic plants. These are plants the deer were eating. The seemed to be eating the broad-leaf plant pictured here. As I observed them feeding there were times when the does would submerge their noses and come up chewing a lot of plant material.
What animals eat juniper trees?
Juniper berries are one of the top winter foods for many birds and mammals. Rabbits, foxes and most birds – turkeys, bluebirds, robins, chickadees and waxwings to name a few – covet the deep blue berries. I've watched a flock of cedar waxwings descend upon a patch of juniper and strip them in just a few hours.
Do whitetail deer eat juniper?
It sounds like a variety of upright juniper may be the plant you're looking for. You're right, while deer will eat nearly everything if they are hungry enough. Junipers, unlike arborvitae, have a good track record of deer resistance. Upright forms offer beauty, screening and low maintenance within a small footprint.
Are blue juniper trees deer resistant?
The Blue Point Juniper is deer resistant, drought-tolerant, and an easy Dwarf Tree to grow. Where Should I Plant A Blue Point Juniper? Plant this adaptable juniper in a spot with well drained soil that gets full sun to part shade exposure in grow zones 4-9.
What evergreen will deer not eat?
Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is one of the few native evergreen shrubs that deer largely ignore.
How do you keep deer from eating junipers?
The best way to keep deer from dining on your junipers is to install 8 foot high temporary plastic deer fencing around them. Deer can easily jump over shorter fencing, especially if deep snow makes the leap shorter. Also, consider planting species that deer are less likely to eat.
Will deer eat Rocky Mountain juniper?
Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), bitterbrush (Purshia spp.), and Rocky Mountain juniper combined have been reported to make up 66% of winter mule deer browse and Rocky Mountain juniper is considered a major component of wintering mule deer diet in the Bridger Mountains of Montana.
Can deer eat juniper berries?
Do deer eat juniper berries? Yes, they do, although they are not among their favorite food choices.
Is Japanese garden juniper deer resistant?
The Japanese Garden Juniper is pest and disease resistant and deer tolerant.
Will deer eat Wichita blue juniper?
Deer resistant juniper trees. Junipers, unlike many other evergreens, have an excellent deer resistance track record. This is especially true for upright junipers. Some varieties you can plant include Blue haven, Blue Arrow, Mountbatten, Skyrocket, Moonglow, Wichita Blue, and Blue Point.
Are dogwoods deer resistant?
Generally, dogwood is pretty deer resistant. This means that dogwood still sometimes sustains severe deer damage, but this only occurs occasionally or rarely. The frequency you can expect dogwood to be browsed by deer depends not only on the number of deer in your area but also on the species of dogwood you plant.
Are hydrangea deer resistant?
Are hydrangeas deer-resistant? The short answer is no. Deer love to graze on the leaves, flowers, and tender tips of hydrangeas. That said, there are strategies that hydrangea-loving gardeners like me can use to reduce deer damage.
Are Arborvitaes deer resistant?
American arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) is another deer-resistant option in USDA zones 2a to 7a. It grows about as tall as Green Giant, although it has less of a spread at 10 to 15 feet.
Do deer eat juniper?
Do deer eat juniper? Not really. At first glance, juniper is not a deer favorite, but it can be in certain situations. Some juniper species are also more attractive to deer than others. Therefore, you should stick to juniper variants that offer higher resistance. Regardless, junipers offer great screening and can add to the esthetics of your property. With the proper measures, you can reduce the risks of deer damage and enjoy your evergreens all year round.
Do junipers repel deer?
Juniper is a part of the cypress family known for its pungent fragrance, sharp prickly needles, and bitter-tasting bark. Deer do not like plants with such features and will most likely ignore them.
How To Keep Deer Away From Juniper?
While junipers are not the first choice for hungry deer, they will eat almost anything during harsh winters. The best way to keep deer from dining on your junipers is to install 8 foot high temporary plastic deer fencing around them. Deer can easily jump over shorter fencing, especially if deep snow makes the leap shorter.
Will Juniper Come Back After Deer Eat Them?
If the destruction is limited to new spring growth, your juniper may recover. Damage to the older needless portion of the stems will result in permanent bare spots. Unfortunately, new growth will not sprout from older stems.
What is a juniper?
Garden Care. By Marylee Gowans. Juniper (Juniperus spp.) is a genus of evergreen shrubs and trees that grow throughout U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. Several cultivars of the juniper -- such as “Medora” (Juniperus scopulorum “Medora”) -- produce strikingly blue foliage that stands out in the winter backdrop.
Can deer eat juniper?
Depending on the species and cultivar, junipers can grow as a hedging, ground cover and privacy hedge, and are seldom deer’s first choice for food. However, in certain instances, deer have been known to nibble on blue juniper plants. Thankfully, a few methods will protect the blue juniper from hungry deer.
What to look for when deer gnaw down juniper?
Look for ragged foliage, especially new growth in springtime, and stripped bark.
Do deer intrude on your private space?
Irate gardeners sometimes refer to deer as large rod ents, and it is true that, like mice, they intrude into your private space looking for food. But deer may have a larger claim, since humans started the problem by encroaching on their territory and scaring off their principal predators.
Can you salvage a skyrocket juniper?
Juniper Damage. You may be able to salvage a deer-browsed "Skyrocket" juniper if the damage is limited to green shoots. Deer use juniper as a meal of last resort. If damage is limited to the new shoots in spring, it pays to take a "wait and see" attitude.
Is Monrovia juniper deer resistant?
Deer Resistant. Monrovia advertises "Skyrocket" as deer resistant, and it is not the only plant supplier to do so. This means that the conifer is not among those plants immediately attractive to deer and can often heal from deer browse. Other types of juniper are also classified as deer resistant.
Do skyrocket junipers get deer damage?
Deer Damage on Skyrocket Junipers. No plant is immune from deer damage, but some are less attractive to deer than others; those low on a deer's preferred dinner list are somewhat misleadingly termed "deer resistant.". Several conifers make the deer-resistant list, including "Skyrocket" juniper (Juniperus scopulorum "Skyrocket").
Is a tree deer proof?
No tree or shrub is completely deer proof, but some are more deer resistant than others. The ratings below are based upon research from Rutgers University Experiment Station in conjunction with nursery and landscape professionals and master gardeners.
Is a tree deer resistant?
Deer Resistant Trees and Shrubs = No more Deer Repellent. Deer often cause damage to trees, shrubs, and other landscape plants causing avid gardeners and tree planters to spend money on deer repellents or deer tubes . No tree or shrub is completely deer proof, but some are more deer resistant than others.
What happens if deer eat a tree?
During a cold winter or at other times when natural food sources are low, your landscape can be devastated by deer feeding on shrubs and small trees. Sometimes the damage is merely cosmetic, and the plant can recover. But if the bark is completely stripped from a shrub or tree, that can mean the end of the plant.
Is a berry shrub toxic?
The berries also are toxic to people and pets, so take care when planting the shrub. 2 This plant is somewhat difficult to grow, as it requires a delicate balance of soil moisture and sharp drainage. Some shrubs might die without an obvious cause, so choose a planting area that allows for easy removal if necessary.
Do juniper trees smell?
Juniper varieties are members of the cypress family and give off a heavy fragrance. And because deer have a sensitive sense of smell, they tend to dislike any plants with a strong odor. Juniper generally is low maintenance, simply requiring some pruning to control its growth.
Do deer eat roses?
In general, shrub roses are good plants where deer are a problem due to their thorny stems that deer don't like to eat. 1 Candy Oh is a favored variety known for its fragrance and vibrant coloring. It produces beautiful blooms for most of the summer and will attract many pollinators to your garden.
Do boxwoods have alkaloids?
They're fairly low maintenance, except for an annual pruning to maintain their shape and remove unhealthy portions. As a bonus, boxwoods contain alkaloids that are distasteful to deer.
Is deer resistant shrubs deer proof?
Remember "deer-resistant" is not "deer-proof.". Some animals still might choose to take a bite out of these shrubs, especially if food options are limited. Keeping Deer Out of Your Yard and Garden. 01 of 10.
Is Russian Sage deer resistant?
Russian sage ( Perovskia atriplicifolia ), which is technically a subshrub, has bluish flowers with silvery-gray foliage. It is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant. The plant spreads via underground runners and does not require much maintenance besides some pruning to keep it looking neat.
What plants are deer resistant?
Top Deer-Resistant Hedges and Screens. Thuja Green Giant – Because it has genes from the Redcedar, this plant, the best hedging plant you can grow, is also resistant to deer. Holly ( Ilex) – Almost all hollies are left alone by deer. No wonder, with their spiny leaves.
What is the best hedge for deer?
For shady areas Hemlock ( Tsuga) makes a beautiful hedge that will be left alone by deer. Soft-foliaged Japanese Cedar ( Cryptomeria) is also seldom bothered, and they different varieties of this plant are beautiful evergreens for any garden.
What animals can damage trees?
Deer typically graze all the foliage to 4 or 5 feet above the ground – sometimes even more. If you find bark stripped from the base of trees, this is mice or vole damage.
What happens when plants are damaged in winter?
Cold and ice is one thing, but when animal damage is spotted, it can be particularly demoralizing. Of course, we can hardly blame the animals, who only want to survive, but when we see plants chewed to the ground, stripped off lower foliage, or with no bark left, it is hard not to seek revenge.
Can you spray repellent on deer?
These animals have different feeding preferences, so it is a good idea to first of all identify the problem. If you anticipate mouse or vole damage, repellant sprays can sometimes help, but these are less reliable for deer, and they need frequent re-spraying.
Can deer leave plants alone?
All in all, there are lots of plants to choose from that deer will normally leave alone. Instead of investing in an expensive fence, or spraying repellents all winter, choose the right plants and you can sit back and know that your garden will be safe until spring arrives.
Can deer leave serviceberry?
Serviceberry ( Amelanchier) – This native shrub has beautiful white flowers in early spring, and edible berries, but it is usually left alone by deer. Flowering Dogwood ( Cornus) – Smothered in white or pink blooms, all the many kinds of these beautiful trees will generally be left alone, as also will the fruits.

Junipers as Deer-Resistant Plants
- Luckily, junipers have a much better record than arborvitaes for privacy planting. They have an excellent track record of deer resistance. Juniper is a part of the cypress family known for its pungent fragrance, sharp prickly needles, and bitter-tasting bark. Deer do not like plants with such features and will most likely ignore them. However, not all juniper species offer excellent deer re…
No Way to Completely Deer-Proof Your Landscape
- Even as junipers offer excellent deer resistance, you must realize that your location and other environmental factors may change the narrative. For instance, if your area has the coldest winters, a good chance deer will feast on your junipers, regardless of the species you cultivate. Deer adapt fast to any situation and will eat anything if desperate enough. Even prickly spruce variants and …
Preventing Deer Damage to Your Juniper Plants
- Because there is no way to stop deer from feeding on your junipers, ultimately, you should consider other deer deterrent methods. Of course, the most effective is a 10-foot wooden fence, but fencing is too costly and may not be feasible for some people. You can consider using individual fencing with pound T-posts or rebar. Plastic or polypropylene deer fencing of about 8 f…
Concluding Thoughts
- Do deer eat juniper? Not really. At first glance, juniper is not a deer favorite, but it can be in certain situations. Some juniper species are also more attractive to deer than others. Therefore, you should stick to juniper variants that offer higher resistance. Regardless, junipers offer great screening and can add to the esthetics of your proper...