The leaves are turning color, there’s a chill to the air and days are growing shorter. For deer, Fall is mating season. Over the summer the bucks have grown magnificent antlers, which are very attractive to does.
The male deer rutting season can be very damaging to newly planted trees and shrubs. Rutting season starts in early September and can continue to mid-December. Their antlers have grown during the summer and are now covered with a soft velvety nap which they need to remove to sharpen and hone their antlers. They also have a strong desire to mark their territory by spreading their scent which is accomplished by rubbing their scent glands onto trees and shrubs.
Bald cypress trees (Taxodium distichum) are a majestic landscape specimen, prized for their graceful form, delicate foliage, and ornamental knobby knees. However, hungry deer can wreak havoc on these beautiful trees through rubbing and browsing. Read on to learn effective strategies to protect your bald cypress from deer damage.
Why Deer Damage Bald Cypress Trees
White-tailed deer rely on trees like bald cypress for food and habitat:
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During fall and winter when other food is scarce, deer strip and consume cypress foliage and bark.
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Male deer rub their antlers on tree trunks to remove velvet and mark territory, damaging the bark.
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The soft wood of young cypress trees makes them a target for deer antler rubbing
Repeated deer browsing stunts the growth of your bald cypress and creates wounds vulnerable to pests and disease, Protecting the trees when they are most vulnerable is key
When Are Bald Cypresses Most Susceptible to Deer?
Be especially vigilant in protecting your bald cypress trees during these high-risk times:
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Fall – Male deer damage tree bark by rubbing their antlers to prepare for mating season.
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Winter – With fewer food sources available, deer heavily browse on cypress foliage.
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Spring – Bark damage peaks as deer continue marking their territory.
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Dry Seasons – Deer browse more heavily on bald cypress when other food and water is limited.
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Newly Planted Trees – Young cypresses have thin bark that deer can easily damage.
Take steps to deter deer during seasonal periods and growth stages when your bald cypress trees are most vulnerable to damage.
5 Ways to Protect Bald Cypress from Deer
Follow these tips to keep deer from damaging your prized bald cypress trees:
1. Install Protective Barrier Fencing
Construct an 8-foot tall welded wire or mesh fence around bald cypress trees, enclosing an area at least 5 feet wider than the tree canopy. This barrier keeps deer from accessing the trees.
2. Apply Deer Repellent Sprays
Spray bald cypress foliage liberally with odor-based or taste-based deer repellents, reapplying frequently. Popular options include bobcat urine, putrescent egg solids, or capsaicin.
3. Wrap Tree Trunks
Wrap flexible plastic tree guard tubes or tape around the trunks of young bald cypress trees to prevent deer from rubbing the bark.
4. Install Motion-Activated Sprinklers
Strategically-placed sprinklers that turn on when deer are detected will startle them away from bald cypresses. Using multiple sprinklers maximizes the deterrent effect.
5. Apply Organic Deer Repellents
Spread hair clippings, dried blood meal, garlic oil, or tankage (rendered animal products) around bald cypresses to repel deer with the strong odors. Reapply after rain.
Using two or more deterrents together provides the best protection. Just be sure to periodically inspect that they remain functional.
When to Call a Professional
If deer continue damaging your bald cypress despite your best efforts, it may be time to bring in a professional wildlife management service. They can provide:
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Site evaluation to identify highly vulnerable trees needing protection.
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Setup of commercial-grade deterrent systems.
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Application of long-lasting professional-use repellents.
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Population monitoring and culling if necessary and legal in your area.
A professional can custom design a deer damage control program suited to your specific trees and property. Their services ensure robust protection.
Preventative Care for Your Bald Cypress
While deterring deer, be sure to also provide good care to keep your bald cypresses healthy and vigorous. This makes them less vulnerable to deer and other pests:
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Water young trees regularly until their root system is well established.
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Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer annually in early spring.
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Mulch around the base with 2-4 inches of organic matter.
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Prune only when necessary, using proper technique and tools.
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Monitor weekly for signs of disease or insect infestations.
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Arrange bald cypress plantings near other landscape plants preferred by deer.
With preventative care and diligent protection, your beloved bald cypress trees can continue thriving and enhancing your landscape for many years to come without being damaged by hungry deer.
Signs Your Bald Cypress Trees Are Being Damaged by Deer
Watch for these clues that deer are browsing and rubbing your bald cypresses:
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Stripped branches and twigs with ragged, torn edges.
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Uprooted, trampled or broken knee roots.
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Scrape marks on trunks from antlers.
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Sections of loose, torn bark on trunks or stems.
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Crooked growth from a damaged leader shoot.
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Clumps of hair left on trunks or fences.
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Fresh hoof prints and trails around damaged trees.
Catching deer damage early allows you to take swift protective action before further harm occurs.
When Deer Damage Is Severe: Triage and Recovery Tips
If despite your best efforts deer still manage to damage your bald cypress, these steps can help salvage the tree:
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Prune away any broken, stripped or dangling branches back to viable wood.
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Smooth any ragged bark edges with a sharp knife to encourage regrowth.
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Spray wounded bark with tree sealant/wound dressing to reduce disease risk.
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Monitor closely for signs of pest infestation which can enter wounds.
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Remove and replace badly damaged knee roots and anchor new ones firmly.
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Stake and tie any bent leaders to slowly re-straighten them as the tree recovers.
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Boost recovery with deep root feeding, appropriate fertilizer, and vigilant watering.
With attentive care, even a severely damaged bald cypress can regrow a thriving canopy and continue enhancing your landscape.
While hungry deer can wreak havoc on landscape specimens like your beloved bald cypress, you are not helpless to stop them! A combination of strategic deterrents, preventative care, and prompt repair of any damage can help safeguard your tree. Stop deer in their tracks this season with proactive protection, so you can continue enjoying the graceful beauty of your thriving bald cypress for many years to come.
Trees make Great Sharping Tools for Deer
Tree trunks are their preferred sharpening tool – great for the deer – but not so great for the trees. The tree’s cambium layer, a thin membrane just underneath the outer layer of bark, is the lifeblood of the tree. It is responsible for carrying water and nutrients from the soil to the leaves and vice versa. When deer rub against the tree, they shred, or even completely abrade, this layer. Should the damage go all the way around the trunk, the tree is girdled. A girdled tree will die. Of course, young trees, less than 5” in caliper, seem to work best for antler sharpening.
Deer Rubbing Trees and Cypress Bushes
FAQ
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