Designing with Deer in Mind

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Mark C. Olson

WWW.NATURESON.COM

Landscape Design, Consultation, Installation, & Organic Maintenance Services

(262) 723-8849

Deer herds are ravaging landscapes across the country. Millions of dollars a year are spent on repairing damage and replacing plants that are a result of deer browse, and the numbers go up every year. So what can be done to curb some of the losses? It would seem obvious that if deer feed on specific plants, then don't plant these favorites, Right? Well, it's not as simple as that, but certainly a good place to start.

Here are some of the things that we've learned about deer over the last 20 years working in Midwestern Landscapes and Gardens:

Deer will eat nearly any plant in the landscape at one time or another, but they do have FAVORITES!
Each herd may have it's own FAVORITES and direct experience in a geographic area is the only way to get a true sense of what's on the MENU.
Don't forget that Winter Browsing is as serious as browsing during the growing season.

This is becoming a common site for many homeowners in the Midwest. Here in Southeastern Wisconsin, damage caused by browsing deer is a perennial problem. In some areas the entire landscape must be designed, installed and maintained with the local deer population in mind.

Deer Resistant Plants

Trees

Acer japonicum (Japanese Maple)

Picea (Spruce)

Chionanthus (Fringe Tree)

Tsuga (Hemlock)

Shrubs

Rhododendron

Juniperus (Juniper)

Cotoneaster

Bulbs

Narcissus

Scilla

Mark C. Olson

Managing deer damage entails a positive attitude on your part. If you make it a point to educate yourself and your neighbors about Deer and their impact on the landscape. And then put what you learn into practice. You can create a landscape that can withstand the pressures of deer browse, and still be beautiful and well maintained.

Good Luck!

If your having trouble dealing with deer browse, and just can't figure out what to do. Let Us Help.