DeerGuys
5 min read

Why Young Trees Need Extra Protection From Deer

August 13, 2025

Young trees are an exciting addition to any garden or landscape, offering long-term beauty, shade, and value to your property. However, young trees are highly vulnerable to damage from deer. As deer seek out food during different seasons, young trees with their tender bark and fresh foliage are prime targets. This is why it’s crucial to provide extra protection for young trees to ensure they grow strong and healthy.

In this blog, we’ll explain why young trees need extra protection from deer, and how our Deer Repellent Spraying Service can help safeguard your investment, allowing your trees to thrive without the threat of deer damage.

1. Deer Are Attracted to the Tender Bark of Young Trees

One of the most significant threats to young trees is bark stripping. In winter, when food sources are scarce, deer will often strip the bark from the lower portions of young trees. This damage occurs when deer rub their antlers on tree trunks or bite the tender bark to access the softer tissues beneath. For young trees, this can be devastating.

Why Deer Love Bark:

  • Easy access: The bark of young trees is often softer and easier for deer to remove, especially in the early stages of growth.
  • Nutrient-rich: The cambium layer (the soft tissue beneath the bark) provides essential nutrients, making it an appealing food source for deer.

How We Protect Young Trees:

Our Deer Repellent Spraying Service uses a weather-resistant formula that repels deer by creating an unpleasant scent and taste that they avoid. Regular spraying creates a protective barrier around the tree trunk and surrounding foliage, preventing deer from stripping the bark and harming the tree’s growth.

2. Deer Browse on Young Tree Foliage and Leaves

In addition to bark, deer are also drawn to the leaves and new shoots of young trees. Deer love to graze on soft, fresh foliage, and they are especially likely to target the leaves of young trees during the spring and summer when the plants are tender and lush.

Why Deer Love Young Tree Foliage:

  • Soft and tender leaves: The new shoots and leaves on young trees are often more succulent and easier to chew than those of mature trees.
  • High nutritional value: The tender leaves of young trees are packed with nutrients, making them an attractive food source.

How We Protect Tree Foliage:

By applying our deer repellent spray, we create an invisible shield around the tree’s foliage. Our natural, eco-friendly ingredients such as garlic and peppermint oil are unappealing to deer, causing them to avoid the area. This ensures that the tree’s young shoots and leaves are left intact, allowing the tree to grow and thrive.

3. Deer Can Trample and Damage Young Trees

Deer are not only grazers; they can also cause physical damage by trampling young trees. When deer wander through your yard or garden, they often brush against young trees, causing physical damage to the branches and trunk. This trampling can also compact the soil around the tree, which harms the tree’s roots and prevents proper growth.

Why Deer Trample Young Trees:

  • Path of least resistance: Deer often follow the same routes when moving through your property, and young trees may be in the way of their natural paths.
  • Lack of awareness: Young trees are still fragile and may not be able to withstand the trampling pressure that adult trees can endure.

How We Protect Young Trees:

Our deer control services include regular monitoring of deer activity on your property. We apply our deer repellent spray to areas where deer are most likely to pass, effectively deterring them from trampling over young trees. Additionally, we recommend tree guards and physical barriers to protect the trunks and roots from further damage.

4. Deer Can Damage Tree Growth by Browsing on Roots

Deer are also known to browse on the roots of young trees. When deer graze around the base of a tree, they can damage or disturb the root system, which can stunt the tree’s growth and even kill it if the roots are damaged severely.

Why Deer Target Tree Roots:

  • Tender, accessible roots: Young trees often have shallow roots, which are easier for deer to access and nibble on.
  • New growth: Deer are especially drawn to the new growth near the root zone, where the nutrients are most abundant.

How We Protect Young Trees from Root Damage:

In addition to deer repellent spraying, we recommend using tree guards and physical barriers around the base of the tree. This keeps the roots safe from deer browsing, while the repellent ensures the tree itself is protected from further damage.

5. The Importance of Early Protection for Long-Term Success

Young trees are incredibly vulnerable in the first few years of growth. This is when they need the most protection to ensure they become established and strong. Without proper protection, deer can cause irreparable damage that can stunt growth or even kill the tree.

Why Early Protection is Critical:

  • Vulnerability: The younger a tree is, the more vulnerable it is to deer damage. Early protection allows the tree to develop strong roots, bark, and foliage.
  • Long-term success: By protecting young trees in their early years, you ensure their success for the long term, allowing them to grow into mature, healthy trees.

How We Help Protect Your Investment:

At Deer Guys, we offer year-round protection for your young trees. Our deer repellent spraying provides consistent protection from deer damage, while our physical barriers such as tree guards and netting offer additional support to protect your investment.

Why Choose Deer Guys for Young Tree Protection?

At Deer Guys, we specialize in customized deer control services designed to protect your young trees and landscape from deer damage. Here’s why we’re the best choice for protecting your young trees:

  • Natural, non-toxic ingredients: Our deer repellent sprays are safe for your plants, pets, and family, offering eco-friendly protection.
  • Customized solutions: We tailor our services to meet the specific needs of your property, ensuring your young trees are fully protected.
  • Weather-resistant formula: Our long-lasting repellent stays effective in all weather conditions, providing continuous protection.
  • Expert service: We offer regular monitoring and applications every 3–4 weeks to ensure your young trees stay safe from deer.

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Final Thoughts: Protect Your Young Trees with Professional Deer Control

Young trees need extra protection from deer in their early years of growth. With Deer Guys’ professional deer repellent spraying service, we offer long-lasting, effective protection to help your young trees thrive and grow strong.

Contact us today to schedule your first application and start protecting your young trees from deer damage!

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