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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Wednesday - August 27, 2008
From: Dalton, PA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Deer Resistant
Title: Height of plastic tree guards to protect against deer
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
How high do the plastic tree guards used to prevent deer rubbing need to be? I live in northeastern Pa.ANSWER:
When the bucks' new antlers are mature in August or September they begin rubbing them against trees, shrubs, rocks, etc., to remove the dead skin that is covering them. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the average adult white-tailed deer buck is 32 to 34 inches at the shoulder. Other estimates I've seen put the shoulder height at 3.5 feet. I couldn't find any figures on how tall the deer is after you include the head and the antlers, but from direct observation I would add about 15-18 inches. Since the deer does have to lower its head a bit to put its antlers in contact with the 'rubbing post' you probably don't need to put up a 6 foot guard, but I think 4.5 to 5 foot guard would be a good idea.When you install the plastic guard, be sure there is sufficient ventilation between it and the tree to discourage moisture accumulation and potential fungal growth. Please read the answer to a previous question about protecting trees from deer to find types and sources for tree guards.
More Deer Resistant Questions
Groundcover and Butterfly attractants for LaRue Texas
May 02, 2012 - LaRue, TX - Would like a native low growing plant as a groundcover. I would like it for six+ hours of sun, drought tolerant, and ones that butterflies might enjoy, while deer won't. Some winter int...
view the full question and answer
Deer resistant, sun tolerant plants for landscaping
April 19, 2007 - I live in Driftwood and am looking for flowering, deer-resistant plants for the northern side of my house; however the house turn just enough to the west that the flowerbed receives about 3 hours of a...
view the full question and answer
Deer resistance of maple leaf viburnum in Austin
November 20, 2009 - Looking on the Texas Plant Information Database for Maple Leaf Viburnum, I don’t find any information about deer (whitetail or axis, southern edge of Edwards Plateau) resistance. Other sites give mixe...
view the full question and answer
Fast-growing, deer resistant native plants for Kerrville, TX
April 28, 2008 - I'm looking for a plant that will spread quickly and thickly on a very steep slope. The area to be covered is 60'long x 5'high and is crumbly limestone with full sun and very dry. We have a large...
view the full question and answer
Deer resistant plants for campground in West Virginia
February 24, 2006 - We spend the summers at a campground as permanent campers. We fix up our sites to be a pleasure to spend our time smelling and see the wild life come and perch around the area. We would like to know...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |