It’s important to protect your young trees from damage caused by animals, which can severely hinder their growth and development. This starts with knowing what animals are present in your area and being able to determine what damage they cause. Once you have an idea what you are dealing with, you can make a plan for either protecting the trees or controlling the pests, or maybe both.
Animals that damage young trees
Many animals commonly cause damage to young trees, often in search of food or shelter. These animals can damage trees through gnawing on stems, eating leaves, rubbing against trees, or cutting trees off completely.
White-tailed deer
Deer are notorious for eating the leaves, stems, and tender shoots of young trees, especially during the spring and fall. Bucks may break trees completely off or strip bark from the trunk when rubbing the velvet off their antlers in the spring.
Signs of damage
- Ragged leaf edges or missing leaves
- Twigs and branches chewed down to the stub
- Stems cut horizontally
- Bark removed from the lower part of the tree
Rabbits
Rabbits tend to chew the bark and stems of young trees, especially during the winter months when other food sources are scarce.
Signs of damage
- Gnaw marks on stem and small branches near the ground
- Stems cut at a 45-degree angle
Squirrels
Squirrels primarily eat buds and tender shoots of small trees. They may also chew on bark and branches.
Signs of damage
- Gnawed or missing bark on stems
- Branches chewed at the tips, often leaving jagged edges
- Missing buds and leaves
Gophers
Gophers will often feed on roots underground or will chew off small seedlings. Whole seedlings are sometimes even pulled completely underground. Gophers can be especially destructive in young pine plantations.
Signs of damage
- Seedlings easily pulled from the ground due to missing roots
- Stems cut at a 45-degree angle
- Seedlings missing because they’ve been pulled underground
Rats, mice, and other rodents
Small rodents like rats and mice often feed on the tender bark and roots of young trees, particularly in areas where other food is scarce.
Signs of damage
- Chewed or stripped bark around the base of the tree
- Root damage (often hard to spot without digging)
Wild hogs
Wild hogs may uproot young trees in search of food or wallow and rub around the trees. They can cause significant damage to newly-planted trees.
Signs of damage
- Uprooted or dislodged young trees
- Large holes around the root zone, often visible as torn-up soil
Identifying damage
Early identification of damage is critical to mitigating its effects. Tips for recognizing the type of damage cause by mammals include:
- Chewed or gnawed bark: Often indicative of deer, rabbits, squirrels, or rodents. The size of the chew marks and the location on the tree can help determine the culprit.
- Stem cut: The angle of the cut can be indicative of how it was caused, with deer cutting stems horizontally and rabbits, gophers, and rodents cutting stems at a 45-degree angle.
- Missing branches and leaves: Browsing by deer or squirrels may result in missing twigs and leaves, with ragged edges on the remaining parts.
- Root damage: Root damage is often caused by rodents or wild hogs, particularly when there are visible signs of soil disruption around the base of the tree.
- Mounds of soil: Three or more mounds of “fresh” or “old” soil in an irregular pattern connected by underground “runs” indicate gopher activity.
Methods for preventing or reducing damage
Fencing and barriers
Deer fencing: Constructing a physical barrier (fence) at least eight feet high can effectively keep deer away from young trees. Fencing can be made from wire mesh or electric fencing, which can also deter smaller mammals.
Rodent barriers: For rabbits and small rodents, a wire mesh or hardware cloth around the base of young trees can prevent gnawing. A mesh diameter of one to two inches works well to keep smaller animals out.
Tree guards: Commercially available plastic or mesh tree guards can be wrapped around the trunks of young trees to prevent rodents from chewing the bark. These are particularly useful for protecting trees from rabbits and squirrels.
Repellents
Chemical repellents: Several commercial repellents are available that deter browsing by deer, rabbits, and squirrels. These repellents typically use strong scents or tastes (such as garlic, capsaicin, or predator urine) to discourage feeding. Apply them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Natural repellents: Homemade sprays made from hot pepper sauce, garlic, and eggs can also be used, but they may need to be reapplied more frequently.
Trapping and removal
Live traps: For smaller mammals like squirrels, rabbits, and some rodents, live traps can be used to capture and relocate them. Be sure to consult local laws regarding the relocation of animals to avoid legal issues.
Hog traps: Wild hogs can be captured using large, cage-like traps. For best results, set the trap in areas with evidence of wild hog activity and bait it with food like corn.
Control
Gopher bait: Gopher control may be necessary prior to planting in areas of heavy infestation. Treatment is recommended two weeks prior to planting. Generally, four pounds of bait per acre is needed. Bait used for gopher control is highly toxic to birds and other animals. Take caution to avoid spillage and read and follow all label directions.
Selective harvesting: In some cases, harvesting select individuals may be necessary to reduce damage to seedlings. Wild hogs can be hunted year-round. Open season for deer and mammals may vary, so be sure to do your research ahead of time to avoid violating any laws.
Ground management
Remove food sources: Remove fallen fruit, nuts, and other food sources that may attract animals. Keeping the area around young trees clear of food can help reduce attracting deer, squirrels, and other animals.
Long-term strategies for tree protection
Planting strategies
Diversify tree species: Plant a mix of tree species that are less attractive to animals, such as trees with bitter-tasting leaves or tougher bark. Some trees, like oaks and pines, are less likely to be browsed by deer and squirrels.
Create shelter for trees: Planting your young trees in areas where they are protected by other vegetation, such as tall shrubs or larger trees, can reduce the visibility and accessibility of young saplings to browsing mammals.
Habitat modification
Modify the surrounding landscape to discourage animals from staying in the area, such as removing brush piles or dense thickets that might serve as cover for deer or rabbits.
Protecting young trees from animal damage requires vigilance, early detection, and a combination of strategies. By employing preventive measures like fencing, repellents, and habitat modification, you can help ensure the healthy growth of your trees and protect your investment in land management. Regular monitoring and maintenance will also go a long way in safeguarding your young trees against the impacts of browsing animals.