When choosing a deer-resistant tree for your landscape, choose one that will grow quickly and not attract deer. Some great choices are the eastern red cedar, which is a majestic, pyramid-shaped tree with silver bark and gray-blue fruit. Or, you can choose the Norway spruce, which is a fast-growing tree with cascading branches. Other deer-resistant trees include the Deodar cedar, which is also fast-growing and has greenish-silver leaves. And don’t forget the delicate Mimosa tree, which is ornamental in appearance.
Boxwood shrubs
If you’re in the market for deer-resistant trees or shrubs, look no further than Boxwood. This evergreen shrub grows in many parts of North America and is toxic to most animals. Although deer are not likely to eat Boxwood, they do enjoy other, more tender broad-leafed plants. These trees are also a good choice for privacy or foundation plants, as they will shield your flowers and shrubs from deer.
These dense evergreen trees or shrubs make great privacy screens. The boxes are a dense, deer-resistant choice, and they come in several varieties, including dwarf types. Some varieties are slow growing while others are tall and narrow. Boxwood can be pruned to shape or left natural for a more elegant appearance. There are even variegated Boxwood varieties available. This means you can select one that complements your home’s decor.
Mountain laurel is another excellent deer-resistant shrub. Mountain laurel grows slowly, but it produces large clusters of pale pink flowers. It can reach up to 15 feet in height. It grows in slightly acidic soils and is great for areas that experience deer problems. It prefers part shade and grows slowly. However, mountain laurel requires a large amount of water, and some deer will nibble it.
Spartan Juniper
The best privacy hedges are dense and densely branched, and Spartan juniper is a popular choice. The columnar foliage is deep green and varies in shape. It grows fast and is deer resistant, so it requires little maintenance and no pruning. This evergreen grows at a rate of 12 inches per year and thrives in most soils. It also doesn’t mind a little bit of drought and thrives in full sun.
This spartan juniper matures at about fifteen to twenty years, so it won’t take too long to cover a lawn. The spartan is also narrow and compact, so it will make an impressive impact even in a limited space. While deer may not enjoy munching on the spartan, they do tend to prefer the leaves and branches of other plants. However, spartan is not completely deer-proof – a fence and spray-on repellent can keep them away.
Spartan juniper trees grow to about fifteen feet tall with a spread of three to five feet. They need to be in full sun and well-drained soil to flourish. Proper spartan juniper care is the key to preventing many of the common issues that may affect your privacy hedge. Ideally, spartan juniper trees should be planted three to five feet apart, but if you want a dense screen, plant them closer together.
Eastern red cedar
If you are looking for a deer-resistant tree for privacy, consider Eastern red cedar. This large, evergreen native of the Eastern seaboard and Mid-West is low-maintenance and aromatic. The foliage is a dark blue or green, and birds and other wildlife can hide in its gray or dark green needles. It also grows quickly, a couple of feet per year in ideal conditions.
While eastern red cedar is native to some parts of the United States, it is considered invasive in other parts of the country. In areas with a lot of grass, you should avoid planting eastern red cedar near it. If you must, you can plant them in an area with juniper or spruce trees. Regardless of your choice, you’ll enjoy privacy and beauty without the worry of deer damage.
The wood is also edible, and eastern red cedar will feed deer during winter months. It is also an organic insect repellent, so it will help deer repel insects. And as an added benefit, deer will sometimes shelter under it during hot days. It is also a very hardy tree. So, while you’re choosing an Eastern red cedar for deer resistant trees for privacy, don’t forget to research the benefits it offers.
Japanese maple
Growing a Japanese maple can be rewarding. This type of tree does not have a high food value, but it is resistant to deer. Deer often nibble on young Japanese maple trees and their lower, tender branches. If they do attack, they will damage the Japanese maple tree’s leaves and the branches will eventually die. Deer can also damage mature trees by rubbing their antlers on the trunk.
Although Japanese maple trees are deer-resistant, there are some instances where deer may have a preference for them. Deer tend to ignore Japanese maple trees during winter months, but will return in the spring and eat the tree’s leaves. Deer prefer moss, bark, and fall seeds, so it’s a good idea to protect your Japanese maple with a deer-repellent spray.
A Japanese maple will thrive in zones five to eight, but some varieties are more resistant in warmer climates. Be sure to give your tree adequate water, however, as these trees are not happy sitting in damp soil. Also, don’t overwater your Japanese maples because this can cause fungi and bacteria to grow. In addition, too much heat or light can cause leaf burn. If this is a concern, consider planting a Korean maple, a hardy variety that can withstand zone four.
Southern magnolia
If you want to plant a Southern magnolia tree for privacy, there are several methods you can use to protect it from deer. Deer are notoriously adept jumpers and will be more likely to miss your tree if it is too high or too low. A fence around your yard should be at least eight feet high and six feet high if you are in an area with a high deer population. Another way to protect your magnolia plant is to install an electric fence. This fence does not harm deer in the long run, and gives them a jolt similar to static stock.
Planting a southern magnolia will require a top soil that is rich in organic peat humus. You will need to fertilize the tree three times a year to help it grow well. Fertilize in the spring, summer, and autumn. Then, every few years, you can prune the tree to keep it from growing too large. These trees are suitable for shade gardens, too, since they are not tall.
Swamp rose
If you want to plant a tree that won’t be eaten by deer, consider the Swamp rose. A subshrub that looks like lavender, this shrub can grow up to 7 feet tall and spread aggressively by suckers underground. The rose’s scented flowers are not deer’s favorite food, so it’s a good choice for larger naturalized gardens. And the flowering Swamp rose doesn’t attract deer, either.
To discourage deer from eating your shrubs and flowers, you can try several repellents. Deer repellents are best applied often, and most of them need to be reapplied after rainstorms. One method I tried was to hang bars of soap around my rose garden. It worked for a while, but then the deer got used to the scent and became hungry. Moreover, you can’t spray a repellent around the entire garden in one day.
If you don’t want deer to eat your new plants, you can use deer fencing. This method is more expensive upfront, but will help protect your new trees. It’s also a better option than sprays and granular products. However, keep in mind that no list of deer-resistant plants is 100% bulletproof. Deer can eat any plant if it’s in a desperate situation. These recommendations are based on observation and their expert opinions. For example, a Swamp rose can withstand a deer attack on about 700 acres of farmland in Wisconsin.
Mountain laurel
If you’d like to plant a shrub with deer resistance and privacy, you can plant mountain laurel. This plant is beautiful with deep, evergreen leaves and looks like the state flower of Pennsylvania. But deer can’t stand its poisonous leaves. While azaleas are considered deer candy, mountain laurel has a stinging sap. That makes it deer-resistant, and it’s an excellent choice for homes in high-traffic areas.
Mountain laurel is poisonous to cats and dogs, which can cause digestive upset and alarming symptoms. This plant also has a drooling tendency, which makes it an attractive addition to a garden. This tree is recommended for planting in zones 5-8. It can also tolerate deep shade. But it’s not a perfect choice for those who want privacy and deer resistance.
The best way to choose a Mountain Laurel for deer resistance and privacy is to plant one that has a natural predator-resistance trait. Mountain laurel is native to the United States and grows in natural areas throughout the state. It is widely used in landscapes because it produces flowers in late spring. Mountain laurel has small, pale pink flower clusters that can grow as large as six inches. The plant grows slowly, and it’s great in partially shaded locations.
Japanese plum yew
If you’re looking for privacy and want to plant a shrub, consider Japanese Plum Yew. This easy-care shrub can be a good backdrop for other plants and an anchor to garden beds. It also hides unsightly features from view. The Japanese Plum Yew grows best in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 through 9 and prefers shady sites. You can also grow new plants from seed or cuttings.
For planting a Plum Yew, make sure that it is in soil that is a pH range between 5.0 and 7.0. Most average garden soils fall between 6.0 and 7.0. The pH measures the soil’s acidity or alkalinity on a scale of one to fourteen. Soil pH measurements below seven are considered acidic soil conditions. Measurements above seven are considered alkaline soil.
Depending on where you live, you can choose between the Upright Japanese Plum Yew and its dwarf cousin, the Redwood. The former is great for shady areas and shaded areas, while the latter are excellent for group plantings or foundations. Both types of plum yew tolerate shade and don’t require frequent pruning. You can prune the Japanese plum yew to a manageable size as necessary to keep the shrubs from overtaking your property.
