Keep your landscape free of hungry deer
Deer damage to ornamental plants is increasingle a subarban problem. Deer populations in neighborhoods have increased rapidly due to abandoned farms, hunting restrictions and suburban sprawl. And they are dining on expensive suburban landscape.
“Deer are selective feeders that eat leaves from flowers, shrubs and ornamental trees”, explains Tchukki Andersen, staff arborist with the Tree Care Industry Association. “Damage to larger trees can extend up to 7 feet.”
In some areas, deer damage peaks in winter when snow cover reduces the food supply. Most areas with overpopulated deer herds experience problems year-round. The availability of natural food sources and the taste preferences of individual deer make deer-proofing a difficult task in many areas.
Locally: “Some great deer and rabbit resistant plants are Mt. Lemmon Marigold, Salvias, Russian Sage and Rosemary, these plants thrive very well in this area” says Ken Karrels.
According to Karrels, if you want to have plants that are on the menu there are a few things you can do. “I have a customer who has had great luck with the use of a thin electric fence to keep deer from eating the flower garden and it does not obstruct any views. Fruit trees are plants that people and wild life like: it is important to protect young trees with a wire cage or fence as they can easily be damaged by pack rats, deer and rabbits, as they have soft bark.” Realistically, we know if they are starving, they will eat anything.
Ken is the new owner of Diamond JK Nursery in Sonoita. For more ideas or plant information stop in and see him.
Featured in The Bulletin by Donna St.Germain (2007)