Jump to content

Log in or register to remove this advert

deer damage


Recommended Posts

Corco,

 

Don't take this the wrong way, but what did you expect would happen when you planted trees without guards?

 

I presume you knew the deer were in the area beforehand (easy assumption to make as they are everywhere - literally). You no doubt knew they are transitory herbivores ie they wander about and eat vegetation. You could also work out that you were planting trees out at roughly head/browse height for deer.

 

So... the deer spot a nice new food/marking/fraying source and they then do what deer do. They eat, fray and mark your tree stock as you could have worked out in advance that this was very likely to happen.

 

Unfortunately you are paying the price for trying to do the establishment on the cheap. You say you have access to used tubes, it is not ideal to put them on after establishment, but you need to get the tubes on ASAP to protect your tree stock. You will also have to employ a stalker for a period of time (as you have already suggested) if this is a particularly bad problem. Tube up your oak as well in advance - don't wait for a problem there as the deer will simply move from one compartment to another as soon as the tubes are on the first group of trees.

 

Aside from deer there are of course rabbits to consider (depending on the size of your stock), and voles that cause ring-barking damage to establishing trees. Tubes protect from these as well.

 

So, you have reaped what you sowed, again quite literally! It shouldn't be too late to remedy the situation - but just get those tubes on ASAP and take the hit on the costs so you get the future benefits.

 

All the best.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Log in or register to remove this advert

  • Replies 31
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Harsh, but fair.

 

You're probably right, but being harsh was unintentional!

 

I have tried to put my view of the situation over as a series of observations/expected behaviours leading to an almost inevitable conclusion.

 

I have had clients who would only pay for 0.75m tubes in areas where they knew there were red deer (more usual to use a 1.8m tube), despite my advice that there will be a problem.

 

When the inevitable happened, and the deer chewed the tops out of ~40% of the stock, they were astounded! (but I didn't say I told you so!)

 

My point was, if you think about what deer do, then think about what a nice new afforested area is - it shouldn't really be a surprise as to the outcome...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Damage would be less than 20%.

No not harsh advice at all. i got a grand for plantation

they didnt allow for fencing or guard. i didnt have money

to pay extra.

I like idea of planting new trees beside damaged ones.

I will do this with guards.

Cull going on as we speak. we have sitka deer. seems

like young deer doing damage.

Q. Will hazel recover....they ate few inches off tops?

Alders/birch they ate bark. id imagine they would

now be prone to disease.

No rabbit damage yet. just deer.

Thanks for advice once again

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Damage would be less than 20%.

No not harsh advice at all. i got a grand for plantation

they didnt allow for fencing or guard. i didnt have money

to pay extra.

I like idea of planting new trees beside damaged ones.

I will do this with guards.

Cull going on as we speak. we have sitka deer. seems

like young deer doing damage.

Q. Will hazel recover....they ate few inches off tops?

Alders/birch they ate bark. id imagine they would

now be prone to disease.

No rabbit damage yet. just deer.

Thanks for advice once again

 

Hazel will be fine so long as it gets a chance to regrow. Circles of chicken wire will be cheaper than shrub shelter guards.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Single stand electric fence or electric horse tape and spray with repellent.

 

What type of spray and repellent are you talking about?

 

I've heard stories that deer don't like the smell of garlic and if you put a garlic clove in the hole when you're planting the tree it keeps the deer away. Anyone tried it?

 

I've also heard if you put human hair round the trees it keeps the deer away. Anyone tried it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share


  •  

  • Featured Adverts

About

Arbtalk.co.uk is a hub for the arboriculture industry in the UK.  
If you're just starting out and you need business, equipment, tech or training support you're in the right place.  If you've done it, made it, got a van load of oily t-shirts and have decided to give something back by sharing your knowledge or wisdom,  then you're welcome too.
If you would like to contribute to making this industry more effective and safe then welcome.
Just like a living tree, it'll always be a work in progress.
Please have a look around, sign up, share and contribute the best you have.

See you inside.

The Arbtalk Team

Follow us

Articles

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.