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Deer in Lowland GardensGrowing deer populations that encroach on urban areas may conflict with gardeners who are understandably frustrated by damage to prized plants, flowers and shrubs. These notes refer to dealing with the most common deer species in lowland gardens: fallow, roe and muntjac. To view a roe buck (in velvet) in a garden follow this link (amateur footage): http://www.youtube.com/v/9EWzg4eiJnM&rel=1 To view amateur footage of a muntjac buck in a garden follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/v/IlBl5nY77OI&rel=1
Chemical repellents have been developed to protect small areas from deer but have variable efficacy and applicability. Non-commercial repellents, such as lion dung and human hair, are not effective despite popular opinion. Scaring deer. Sonic sirens, flashing units and streamers may act for a short time, but deer soon become used to their presence and ignore them. Protecting trees. Protective plastic tubes can be applied around stems to protect them from deer, but these are only of benefit to broadleaved trees. The tubes must be at least 1.5m tall and must be rigidly staked to the ground to prevent deer knocking them over to gain access to their contents. Alternatively, netting guards can be used for conifers and shrubs but they must also be at least 1.5m tall and staked to the ground.
The eco-friendly approach. A good way to protect plants while maintaining a healthy, diverse garden is to provide natural, alternative browse for the deer. This can be achieved simply by allowing brambles, rosebay willowherb, rowan (mountain ash), dandelion, campion, hoary cinquefoil, knotweed, sweet lupin, redleg, ribwort and yarrow to grow within the garden. Deer will then preferentially eat these and may avoid your favourite roses. Added benefits include a more diverse garden, richer in beneficial insects and birds. A mixture of effective plant protection and eco-friendly gardening combine benefits and should protect your garden from attack by deer, which can instead be viewed as welcome visitors to the garden boundary. Plants known to avoid damage if alternative browse is supplied:
Further readingPrior, R. (1983) Trees and deer: how to cope with deer in forest, field & garden. Batsford, London. |
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Know your opponent. Are deer damaging your plants? You must be sure if you are to deal with the problem effectively. If a deer is seen browsing in your garden you can be sure of the culprit. More often, only signs of damage will be apparent. Fraying to young trees is performed by males (bucks) and is evident as bark rubbed from the main stem and left hanging in tatters. Thrashing damage is performed by males whipping woody plants and low branches with their antlers. Browsing damage to shoots and tips is caused by feeding. Deer browsing can be distinguished from rabbit damage by the ragged edge left at the tip caused by the lack of incisors in the upper jaw. Rabbits have upper incisors and so make a clean cut, like that of secateurs.
Excluding deer. Fences must be at least 1.5m tall with a mesh size no greater than 10cm by 10cm to keep out fallow, roe and muntjac. Fences must also be staked to the ground or partially buried to prevent deer from pushing underneath. An exit, such as a self-closing gate or jump, should also be provided to aid the escape of any deer managing to gain access. Grids or gates should also be placed where driveways enter the garden. Electric fencing can be effective against larger deer species but raises safety questions in urban areas.
Alternative plants. Deer have preferences for different plants. Planting unpalatable plants may reduce the damage you experience. However, the number of unpalatable plants is quite restricted and limits the diversity and appeal of the garden if these are the only choices.