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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.  Also, not all plants below are native to the US or Michigan and those that are both non-native and known to spread aggressively have been flagged.
​

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 *Not native to MI and can be very aggressive!

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 *Not native to US and can be very aggressive!

Pine, Eastern White - Pinus strobus

 
Shrubs and Small Trees:  Low Chance of Deer Browse Damage
Barberry, Common - Berberis vulgaris *Not native to US and can be very aggressive!

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, Canada-  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
  • About Us
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      • 2023 NPEM Vendor Application
    • Tree & Shrub Distributions >
      • Fall Sale - Volunteer Sign-up
      • 2023 Spring Tree & Shrub Sale
    • Washtenaw Field Day >
      • Washtenaw Field Day Sponsorship
    • Do you need an Arborist or Forester? Webinar Speaker Info
    • Well Water Testing
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  • Education
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        • Tree & Shrub Planting Guide
        • Tree Diseases & Pests
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        • Fruit Tree Planting & Care
        • Likelihood of Deer Damage
        • Other Forestry Links
        • Pruning Forest Trees
        • Timber Sales
        • Urban Trees
      • Insects >
        • Animal & Insect Repellents
      • Invasive Species & Control >
        • Spongy Moth Article
        • Oak Wilt Article
        • Tree-of-Heaven & Spotted Lanternfly Article
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        • Planting Native Plants
        • Seeding Wildflowers
      • Recycling
      • Water >
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          • Groundwater Protection - Agriculture
        • Pond Construction >
          • Pond Management
        • Rain Gardens
        • Shoreline Property
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        • Stream Bank Erosion and Control
        • Wells >
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