Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - March 17, 2008
From: Chepachet, RI
Region: Northeast
Topic: Deer Resistant
Title: Native, deer-resistant evergreen trees for Rhode Island
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
What deer proof evergreens can I plant in RI that may make nice xmas trees in a few years?ANSWER:
First of all, there are not really any "deer proof" plants, only deer resistant ones. When food is short and conditions are tough, deer will eat almost anything—even plants on all the deer-resistant lists. That said, here is information about the deer-resistance of native evergreens (presented below) that grow in Rhode Island.Deer-Departed.com lists the following species on their "Rarely Damaged Tree" list: Chamaecyparis species, Ilex opaca, Juniperus virginiana, Picea glauca, and Pinus species. Brooklyn Botanic Garden list of Deer-resistant Plants—Shrubs and Trees for the Deer-Plagued Gardener lists Chameaecyparis species and Picea species trees as deer-resistant. Iowa State University Extension Service puts Thuja occidentalis on their "Plants Frequently Severely Damaged". It is possible, however, to protect young trees from nibbling deer by enclosing them in wire cages. Check with you local nurseries for possible solutions.
Below are native evergreen trees that grow in Rhode Island. The information about growth rates for these comes from the U. S. Forest Service. It is possible that there are nursery cultivars of these trees that have been selected for more rapid growth than that listed by the Forest Service.
Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic white cedar) has a medium growth rate. In favorable sites they can grow to 10 feet in 7 or 8 years in the South, or 10 years in the Northeast. Here are some photos of Atlantic white cedar.
Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar), depending on the site, can grow as much as 17 inches in a year.
Thuja occidentalis (arborvitae) , probably not deer-resistant and generally slow growing (as little as 3 inches/year). Photo of T. occidentalis.
There are several pines, most of which are somewhat deer-resistant:
Pinus banksiana (jack pine) grows slowly in the first 3 years, but after this period their growth rate increases considerably so that they may be 3 feet by 4 years. Photos of P. banksiana.
Pinus resinosa (red pine) grows slowly in the wild and may take as long as 10 years to reach 4.5 feet. Photo of P. resinosa.
Pinus rigida (pitch pine) is another slow grower requiring 8 years to reach 2 feet. Photos of P. rigida.
Pinus strobus (eastern white pine) grows slowly for first 2 to 3 years, but then increases rapidly so that by 10 years they have reached 10-15 feet.
Spruces:
Picea glauca (white spruce) is another slow grower, reaching less than 20 inches after 4-6 years. Photos of P. glauca.
Picea mariana (black spruce) growth reaches 5-13 feet at 10 years in plantations. Photos of P. mariana.
Finally, an evergreen non-conifer, Ilex opaca (American holly), can grow 3 to 4 feet a year under optimal conditions, but usually grows much slower. Here is more information about its growth.
More Deer Resistant Questions
Deer resistant plants for Pittsburgh PA
January 30, 2012 - What shrubs can I plant on a wet slope that gets partial sun that will help control erosion? They need to be something the deer won't eat! We have lots of deer.
view the full question and answer
Plants that are deer resistant for high desert climate in Utah
January 23, 2008 - We are building in a high desert climate in Dammeron Valley, Utah. We want plants that are both deer resistant and require little watering. Can you advise which plants (shrubs, flowers, cacti) that ...
view the full question and answer
Groundcovers for hillside in Northern California
November 19, 2012 - I have read numerous posts on here, but I have not found my exact situation. I live in Northern California. I am looking for some type of ground cover to grow on a hillside. Directly above the hillsid...
view the full question and answer
Are there plants that are resistant to axis deer?
November 07, 2013 - Greetings!
I live about 10 miles south of Kerrville, Texas, toward Medina. I wish to begin planting more natives on a plot we have recently purchased. Some plants will go inside a fence that deer...
view the full question and answer
An evergreen, deer-resistant shrub for Memphis
July 24, 2013 - I need an evergreen, deep to partial shade, deer resistant shrub or tree. Does such a plant exist?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |