How to Protect Arborvitae From Deer in Winter

Why Deer Go After Arborvitae

American arborvitae is one of the plants deer browse most in winter. When leaves are gone and snow covers low plants, evergreen foliage at deer height becomes an easy meal. A row planted as a privacy screen can be stripped in a few nights.

What the Damage Looks Like

• A clean "browse line" where foliage is gone up to about 5 to 6 feet
• Bare, brown inner branches exposed on the lower half
• Torn, ragged branch tips instead of clean cuts
• Hoof prints and droppings along the row

Will It Grow Back?

Light browsing on the outer foliage usually fills in. When deer strip a branch down to bare wood, arborvitae rarely pushes new growth from that spot, so heavy damage can leave a permanent gap. Prevention matters more than recovery.

How to Protect Arborvitae

• Start in fall. Begin protection before deer shift to evergreens, usually October in the Northeast.
• Keep it going all winter. Repellent needs to stay on through the cold months, not just one spray in November.
• Cover the full height deer can reach, front and back of the row.
• Wrap or net young plants if they are small enough, especially the first two winters.

Consider the Variety

Green Giant arborvitae is often reported to hold up better to deer than American arborvitae, though no plant is deer-proof when food is scarce.

See also: why winter deer control matters.

Get Professional Protection

Deer Guys® sprays your entire landscaped property every 3 to 4 weeks with a natural, odorless, weather-resistant repellent. Every customer starts with a free trial. Find your town on our New Jersey, New York or Long Island pages, or start your free trial.