We have a lot of deer in our suburban area. I saw two bucks today. Their antlers were developing, but still covered with velvet. When is the time they start rubbing antlers against trees to remove the velvet? What are your recommendations how to protect tender bark on young trees.
2007-08-28 12:53:40 · 8 answers · asked by greydoc6 7 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Deer rub their antlers during the rut in Oct. and Nov. mostly. I have lost many peach and apple trees. I have had some luck with a plastic fence raped around the trees. A roll of the fence is not expensive compared to replacing the trees. I take the fence down after the rut and it is a lot of work!
2007-08-28 13:25:09 · answer #1 · answered by Carl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mark T has the right idea. I use hardware cloth, that's the stuff with the 1/2" square holes in it. After I encircle the tree and wire it into a circle, I put a band of 1/2" foam pipe insulation around the top edge to protect the bark. For some reason, the deer leave the trees alone.
Motion sensing lights will help too. If the orchard is not too large, just string a few temporary light up that turn on when they come near.
2007-08-28 20:44:05 · answer #2 · answered by billy brite 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normally September, but it really depends on your location. Here in Michigan they start rubbing early October. There is no way to protect the bark on the trees. Its all natural, don't try and change nature. All you will end up doing is messing something else up. The larger deer will choose larger trees, the smaller deer will not do enough damage to kill the tree. A little bark damage will not hurt anything. Hippy.
2007-08-28 19:58:43 · answer #3 · answered by pike_mazter 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some zookeepers will give you bear or lion scat which is suppose to work very nicely especially the lion variety.
Short of this, here in the mountains people build fences around their property especially to protect against crop damage from deer who often forage in gardens.
Most deer can clear any fence however if built proper the fence can definitely minimize damage.
The donkey has historically been known as a fine guard to any yard, dogs, wolves and coyotes fear them most.
2007-08-28 20:47:26 · answer #4 · answered by lightwayvez 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My brother (no kidding) wizzes around the base of the tree and they do keep away, must be a territorial thing, if they return the favor an leave scatt, that's the same as a challenge, so drink lots a coffee...game on!
2007-08-28 20:33:35 · answer #5 · answered by groingo 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can put some wire mesh in a circle around the tree with some stakes to hold it in place.
2007-08-28 20:17:44 · answer #6 · answered by Mark T 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
don't worry about it its only a tree people worry about the most stupidest things life is to short to care about it
2007-08-28 20:01:00 · answer #7 · answered by the oz 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
there is some sort of tape to place around fruit trees etc..........good luck I would do it now.....
2007-08-28 19:59:16 · answer #8 · answered by dorton girl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋