How to Protect Your Fall Trees From Animal Browsing

Fall is the best season to plant trees in our zone because it allows the trees to focus their energy on creating a robust root system that will help them thrive even during summer droughts. Depending on the critters and humans in your space, your trees may require more than the standard proper planting and watering.

What are we protecting trees from?

By the time fall tree planting season is in full swing, most insect pests have come and gone, so the focus turns to mammalian predators. Excluding animals like deer, rabbits, and rodents should be the focus for newly planted young shrubs and young trees. There is one “pest” we haven’t covered, and that is the human “pest”. When turned loose with a string trimmer, even the best-intentioned human can cause significant damage to young trees! 

Protection myths and short-term methods

Contrary to popular belief, the animals mentioned above will eat almost anything when faced with hunger, so deer/rabbit/rodent-resistant plants do not truly exist. Animals get used to deterrent techniques like in pin wheels, timed sprinklers, predator statues, and things suspended in the air above the plants. These techniques may work for a short period of time, but are not long-term solutions.
Hanging Irish Spring Soap or sprinkling the grated soap around your plants will not prevent rabbits from eating your plants. I have personally watched rabbits eat plants next to the soap, so I do not recommend this method.

There are other nontoxic methods, such as Capsaicin-based sprays and powders on and around the plants that may work short term, but must be continuously reapplied, and even then, some animals can build up a tolerance to the Capsaicin.

Exclusion – the best method

Exclusion is the only method that will keep your trees safe from furry predators. Exclusion can be accomplished in different ways. Below is a list of common exclusion methods, pros and cons for each method, and additional resources to help you learn more and find an option that works for you!

1. Tree Tubes
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Tree tubes are sheets of plastic that wrap around the trees to prevent browsing from critters, large and small.

Pros: You can keep the tubes on the trees for 3 years or more, depending on the growth rate of the trees. They act as mini greenhouses and can accelerate growth. Easy installation and can be reused in many cases.
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Cons: Watch out for wasps building nests in the tubes. Debris can build up in the tubes, making removal recommended.  

​Learn More: Miracle Tube | Tree Grow Tubes - Seedling Tubes - Plant Tubes – Tree Pro

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2. Individual Fencing

Pros: If installed a good distance from the trunk, it does not have to be removed.

Cons: Depending on the size of the fence holes, it may not exclude smaller mammals. Higher material cost than other methods.
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Learn More: Deer Damage Management Techniques - Exclusion Method

​3. Perimeter Fencing

Pros: Permanent solution to deer browse.
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Cons: Depending on the size of the fence holes, it may not exclude smaller mammals.  Material cost can be high.  Deer can jump roughly 8 feet, so in areas with heavy deer predation, a perimeter fence can be costly.
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Learn More: Fencing To Exclude Deer | NC Wildlife