When it comes to protecting your apple tree from deer, there are techniques you can use to prevent them from dining on your tree’s fruit. Here’s how to keep deer away from your apple tree:
1. Set up a fence. Fences are the most effective method of deterring deer from your apple tree. Install fencing with a height of at least 8 feet to your property line or extend the fencing at least 5 feet out from the tree. Make sure that the fencing is secure enough that the deer can’t jump or otherwise get around it.
2. Install motion-activated water sprinklers. These will startle deer when they come near your apple tree and make them less likely to come around again. Place the sprinklers in areas around the tree, making sure they can reach it at all angles.
3. Place netting around the apple tree. This netting should be thick enough that deer can’t get through it. Place it at least 8-feet high to give the most coverage from deer. Be sure to securely fasten it so that it doesn’t come off or blow away.
4. Hang shiny objects around the tree. Deer have poor eyesight, but they are sensitive to flashes of light. Hang items such as shiny CDs or old CDs, or put bright ribbons on the branches to startle the deer and keep them away. The shinier the objects, the better.
5. Use commercial repellent. This can be applied to the trunk, bark and leaves of your apple tree to deter deer. Commercial repellents are made up of natural materials such as putrescent eggs, garlic and other ingredients that deer don’t like. Reapply it per the manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Plant other plants around your apple tree. Deer prefer to eat tender leaves and grass rather than bark and fruit, so you can use this to create a barrier. Plant shrubs and other plants that deer don’t like to eat in a line around the tree. Make sure that these plants have thorns or other deterrents to prevent deer from getting to the apple tree.
7. Put down a thick bed of mulch. Keep deer away from the tree by creating a thick carpet of mulch or straw around the base of the tree. The thick bed of mulch will also help keep moisture in and weeds out, promoting healthier fruit production.
Adapting your garden
When trying to protect your apple tree from deer, it is important to take into account the plants that you have in your garden and how they can help. Deer tend to avoid plants with sharp edges, prickly flowers and thorns, so plants such as Holly, Creeping Juniper and Oregon Grape can be planted near your apple tree to act as a deterrent. Other plants that can also repel deer include garlic, chives, lavender and rosemary, all of which have strong scents that deer don’t like.
You should also be aware of the types of plants that deer do like to eat and make sure you don’t have too many of these around your apple tree. Flowering plants, such as tulips, crocuses and daffodils, can all attract deer, as can vegetables, fruits and herbs. If you have these types of plants growing in your garden, make sure you keep them away from your apple tree and other trees or shrubs that you want to protect.
Finally, keep your garden neat and tidy. Deer may use long grass, tangled shrubs, and other debris as cover to approach your apple tree. Trim back shrubs and long grass, keep your garden free of debris and rake away fallen leaves. Making sure your garden is neat and tidy will help to deter deer and make it more difficult for them to come near your apple tree.
Using natural repellents
There are a variety of natural repellents you can use to keep deer away from your apple tree. The most common natural repellents are garlic and human hair. Garlic can be bought in most grocery stores and can be used to spray the leaves and bark of your apple tree. Spraying the leaves and bark of your tree with garlic can help keep deer away as they don’t like its strong smell. Human hair can be collected from barber shops or salons, or from members of your household, and can be used to fill pantyhose or bags and hung around the tree.
Another natural repellent that can be used is hot pepper flakes or powder. You can buy these from the store and mix them with water to form a spray. This can then be sprayed around your tree or onto the leaves and bark. Deer don’t like the strong smell or taste of hot pepper, so this can be an effective way of keeping them away.
You can also try using predator urine or soaps around your apple tree. Predator urine, such as fox or coyote urine, can be bought at some hunting stores. You can spray it around the base of the tree and on the leaves of your tree. Soaps such as Ivory soap or Irish Spring can also be used and will have the same effect.
There are also some plants that can be used as natural repellents for your apple tree. Plants such as lavender and marigolds have strong scents that deer don’t like, so planting them around your apple tree can help to keep deer away. The strong scent of these plants acts as a deterrent and will help to keep deer away.
Other deterrents
There are other devices and deterrents you can use to help keep deer away from your apple tree. Motion-activated lights can be used to help scare away deer. Deer don’t like sudden flashes of light and will generally stay away when they sense them. You can also use windchimes and other noises to scare away deer. The loud noise will startle the deer and make them less likely to come back.
Another deterrent you can use is a trampoline or other playground equipment. Deer have poor eyesight, so they may not be able to see the trampoline or other equipment and so will stay away from it. This can be a useful way of keeping the deer away from your apple tree and other plants in your garden.
If you have roaming pets, such as cats or dogs, their presence can also act as a deterrent. Deer won’t usually come near areas where there are pets, as they are likely to be chased away by them. If you don’t have a pet but you know someone who does, you could ask them to keep their pet in your garden when they’re around to help deter the deer.
Finally, you can try using a motion-activated sprinkler system. This system will detect deer in the area and startle them with a sudden burst of water. The sudden noise and motion will startle the deer and make them less likely to come back around.
Using a combination of methods
When it comes to protecting your apple tree from deer, it is important to use a combination of methods. No single method will guarantee complete protection, so it’s best to use a combination to deter them. Fencing and netting are the most effective methods, but you should also use other deterrents such as motion-activated lights, trampolines and predator urine to help keep deer away from your apple tree.
It is also important to remove any sources of food or shelter for the deer, such as long grass, fallen fruit and leaves. When the deer don’t have access to food or shelter around your apple tree, they’ll be less likely to come near it. If you spot any deer in your garden, try to scare them away using loud noises or spraying them with water.
In addition to using deterrents, it is also important to keep your garden neat and tidy. Trimming back overgrown shrubs and long grass and keeping your garden free of debris will make it more difficult for deer to get near your apple tree. And planting plants with strong scents that deer don’t like, such as lavender and marigolds, will make it even more difficult for them to get close.
Using a combination of methods and deterrents can help you to protect your apple tree from deer. However, it’s important to remember that ultimately the most effective method of deterring deer from your apple tree is fencing. Make sure you have a secure and high enough fence to keep them out and your tree will be safe.
