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WASHTENAW COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
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Likelihood of Deer Damage on Trees and Shrubs

Picture
This list is only provided for general guidance in selecting plants based on their deer damage potential.  Keep in mind that deer are “dietary generalists” and will eat just about anything if they are curious or hungry enough.

Trees:  Low Chance of Deer Browse Damage
Ash species - Fraxinus spp.

Beech, American - Fagus granidifolia

Birches - Betula spp.

Birch, Paper - Betula papyrifera

Birch, River - Betula nigra

Catalpa - Catalpa speciosa

Chestnut - Castenea dentata

Ginkgo - Ginkgo biloba

Gum, Sweet - Liquidambar styraciflua

Hickory, Shagbark - Carya ovata

Ironwood - Ostrya virginiana

Larches - Larix spp.

Lilac, Tree - Syringa reticulata

Locust, Black - Robinia pseudoacacia

Locust, Honey - Gleditsia triacanthos

Pine, Austrian - Pinus nigra

Pine, Red - Pinus resinosa

Pine, Scotch - Pinus sylvestris

Redbud, Eastern - Cercis canadensis

Redcedar - Juniperus virginiana

Sassafras - Sassafras albidum

Spruce, Colorado - Picea pungens

Spruce, Norway - Picea abies

Spruce, White - Picea glauca

Sycamore - Platanus sycamore

Tuliptree - Liriodendron tulipifera

 
Trees: Moderate Chance of Deer Browse Damage
Basswood - Tilia Americana

Fir, Douglas - Pseudotsuga menziezee

Fir, White - Abies concolor

Hemlock - Tsuga canadensis

Horsechestnut  - Aesculus hippocastanum

Maple, Red - Acer rubrum

Maple, Silver - Acer saccharinium

Maple, Sugar - Acer saccharum

Oak, Northern Red - Quercus rubra

Oak, White - Quercus alba

Willows - Salix spp.


Trees: High Chance of Deer Browse Damage
Aspens - Populus spp.

Cedar, Northern White (arborvitae) - Thuja occidentalis 

Cherry, Black - Prunus serotina

Cherry, Choke - Prunus virginiana

Cherry, Pin - Prunus pensylvanica

Fir, Balsam - Abies balsamea

Maple, Norway - Acer platanoides

Pine, Eastern White - Pinus strobus

 
Shrubs and Small Trees:  Low Chance of Deer Browse Damage
Barberry, Common - Berberis vulgaris

Blueberries - Vaccinium spp.

Boxwood, Common - Busux sempervirens

Butterflybush - Buddleia davidii

Dogwood, Flowering - Cornus florida

Dogwood, Kousa - Cornus kousa

Dogwood, Redosier - Cornus sericea

Hawthorns - Crataegus spp.

Hazelnut, American - Corylus Americana

Holly, American - Ilex opaca

Honeysuckle, American - Lonicera canadensis

Laurel, Mountain - Kalmia latifolia

Lilac, Common - Syringa vulgaris

Mountain Ash, American - Sorbus americana

Mulberries - Morus spp.

Rosemary, Bog - Andromeda polifolia

Sassafras - Sassafras albidum

Snowberry - Symphoricarpos albus

Spicebush - Lindera benzoin

Spireas - Spirea spp.

Sumacs - Rhus spp.

Shrubs and Small Trees: Moderate Chance of Deer Browse Damage
American Hornbeam - Carpinus caroliniana

Eastern Redbud - Cercis canadensis

Magnolias - Magnolia spp.

Ninebark - Physocarpus opulifolius

Rose, Rugosa - Rosa Rugosa

Roses - Rosa spp.

Serviceberries - Amelanchier spp.

Viburnums - Viburnum spp.

Willows - Salix spp.

Witchhazel, American - Hamamelis virginiana


Shrubs and Small Trees: High Chance of Deer Browse Damage
Alders - Alnus spp.

Apples, Crabapples - Malus spp.

Blackberries - Rubus spp.

Cherries - Prunus spp.

Currants - Ribes spp.

Gooseberries - Ribes spp.

Maple, Mountain - Acer spicatum

Plums - Prunus spp.

Raspberries - Rubus spp.

Yew, Canadia-  Taxus canadensis

 
References
Resistance of Trees and Shrubs to Deer Damage: Jauron, Richard, 1997 [online]. Horticultural & Home Pest News. 

Plants Not Favored by Browsing Deer: Nixon, Phil and Kris R. Bachtell, February 2000.  “” The Landsculptor Online Plant Encyclopedia [online].

Preventing Deer Damage: Swift, C.E. and M.K. Gross, 2004. 



Washtenaw County Conservation District
(734) 302-8715
info@washtenawcd.org

​ 705 N. Zeeb Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Copyright 2020
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