Protecting Fruit Trees from Deer and Other Wildlife

Is local wildlife enjoying your saplings? Don't miss these tips to protect fruit trees from deer.

I've always loved the idea of going into my backyard and picking an apple or some cherries off the tree. It looks so unattractive, like a ray of sunlight lighting up the tree and the birds singing, it's the most wonderful fruit I've ever had. I think we all know how that doesn't work. However, one thing I don't believe in is protecting fruit trees from deer.

Don't get me wrong. I love looking out at dusk and watching the sunset stroll across my yard. What I don't like is how they eat my young trees before they have a chance to grow and bear fruit. Or how they pluck good fruit from the lower branches of somewhat mature trees. Birds are even worse offenders.

Fruit trees are a little more challenging to maintain than an orchard. I can't really put a row card on them. So I did what any gardener would do – I asked around.

Protecting Fruit Trees from Deer: 5 Ways to Keep Wildlife Away

First, let's admit that deer are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. If you have the food they want to eat, they will figure out how to get it. They can jump very high, so a good wooden rail fence around your property isn't going to keep them out. So what can you do?

1. Build a fence.

That's what I did. If you only have a few young trees If you are trying to protect yourself from deer, privacy fences can be a good solution. Place three or four stakes in the ground around your tree and surround them with chicken wire or mesh fencing. Make sure the fence is five to six feet high so deer (or rabbits) can't reach it. The perimeter of the fence should be small so that deer cannot jump over it. This is the best solution to protect fruit trees from deer.

2. Plant more herbs.

Herbs are a natural insect repellent in any garden. Herbs such as rosemary, sage, and mint repel many harmful insects. This also applies to deer. Depending on where your fruit trees are located, planting around some of these herbs can help deter deer.

3. Head to the shower.

Deer don't like the smell of soaps like Irish Spring. Scattering and scattering soap around your yard can help deter deer.

4. Trust the wind.

Our ruminant friends, who work to your advantage in protecting fruit trees from deer, are by nature silly. Set up a variety of windmills, pinwheels, and spinners to add some spice to your garden and deter four-legged critters. It's not a foolproof method, but it can't hurt!

5. Smelly.

This last one comes from Bob Vila. I haven't tried this, but it seems a lot of people have had luck with this method. Make homemade deer repellant by mixing together three eggs, three tablespoons of milk, three cloves of garlic, three tablespoons of chilies, and two cups of water. Once it's mixed, strain it into a gallon jug and fill it with water. You can spray this mixture on your fruit trees or plants that you don't want deer, squirrels, rabbits, skunks, or any other animals.

You should always keep in mind that nothing is perfect. Your fruit trees are no match for a hungry and determined deer. But the more unappealing you make them, the more likely you are to achieve homemade cherry pie glory with fruit from your own backyard.