How Do I Protect My Young Trees from Deer Damage?

If you're in Long Island, New York City, or New Jersey, and you’ve recently planted young trees, protecting them from deer is not just smart — it’s necessary. White-tailed deer are common in our region, and they’re known for turning tender saplings into chew toys and rubbing posts.

We get this question all the time from property owners:
“How do I protect my young trees from deer damage?”

As local deer control experts at Deer Guys, New York Deer Control, and New Jersey Deer Control, here’s what we recommend for long-term tree protection — backed by experience and proven results.

1. Protect the Trunks: Guard Against Antler Rubbing

In fall and winter, bucks rub their antlers against tree trunks to shed velvet and mark territory. This can strip bark, damage cambium layers, and even kill young trees.

🟢 Use tree trunk guards or plastic tree wraps at least 4 feet high.
🟢 Secure them loosely to allow for trunk growth and airflow.

🔗 Learn how our spraying service protects trees year-round: Our Services

2. Repel With Scent and Taste – the Right Way

Deer have a powerful sense of smell — over 80x stronger than ours. A natural repellent that works on scent and taste can convince them to steer clear without harming your trees.

🟢 At Deer Guys®, we apply a proprietary repellent that’s:

• Environmentally Safe
• Harmless to Humans & Animals
• Weather Resistant
• Made from Natural Ingredients

🔗 Explore what makes our repellent different

3. Protect the Area Around the Tree

It’s not just the trunk that’s at risk. Deer browse on tender foliage, buds, and bark, especially in spring and winter.

🟢 Space is key. Keep a clear zone around your saplings. Avoid shrubs or plants that attract deer.
🟢 We often advise Long Island and New Jersey clients to combine repellent with perimeter spraying for better coverage.

🔗 Why our perimeter method works

4. Skip the Fencing — Spray Instead

While deer fencing is an option, it’s expensive, unattractive, and can limit your landscape design. Our clients prefer a cleaner, low-maintenance solution: repellent application that covers the entire yard, including the base and canopy zones of young trees.

🟢 Our repellent is virtually invisible and won’t stain bark or leaves.

🔗 Start with a free trial application and see the results.

5. Stay on a Regular Spray Schedule

Consistency is everything. Deer don’t need much encouragement to come back. That’s why we recommend our year-round spray schedule, especially for newly planted trees and high-traffic deer zones like:

• Suffolk County
• Nassau County
• The Bronx & Staten Island
• North and Central New Jersey suburbs

🔗 Find your local branch to get started fast.

Bonus: Fewer Deer, Fewer Ticks

Reducing deer activity around your trees doesn’t just protect the bark — it also reduces the presence of deer ticks, which are known carriers of Lyme disease.

🔗 Learn how we help minimize deer traffic on your property.

Serving NY & NJ Tree Owners Since 2002

We’ve helped thousands of homeowners, landscapers, and nurseries protect their investments. Our owner-operated team knows exactly how deer behave in Long Island, NYC, and New Jersey — and how to stop the damage before it starts.

🔗 Want to know what others say? Read Our Reviews
🔗 Contact us to schedule a site visit or get a quote.

More Questions from Ask Deer Guys

• What are the signs that deer have been in my yard?
• How can I tell if deer are eating my garden plants?
• Do deer eat trees in the winter?

Wrap-Up

If you’ve got young trees in New York or New Jersey, don’t wait until the damage is done. Give us a call or request a free trial spray, and we’ll help you protect your investment for years to come.

We’re the local deer control experts — and this is all we do.

‍