Protecting Your Fruit Trees From Deer (Inexpensive Effective Method)

Deer have been in the orchard destroying our two year old trees. It is my fault for not checking on them more regularly. One tree had a fairly thick branch ripped right off and another was almost completely knocked over.
In this video we show you our method for protecting our fruit trees from deer with a few t-posts and some construction fencing.
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[@donnakelley1202]

thanks for the great advice. I bought a beautiful apple tree three weeks ago. I asked the young man who sold it to me if I needed to do anything to protect it from dear. he said no adding that next spring they might come and eat some of the buds off of the branches. but I didn't have to do anything until next spring. weeeelllll. he was wrong. I went to check on it a few days ago and the poor little tree was leaning side ways. a dear had used it to rub it's antlers on. he ripped up the bark all the way around the trunk. there is not much I can do to save my little apple tree now. wish l had seen your video before the dear came. I am so discouraged. I spent a lot for that tree and two days of digging to get just the right environment for it to grow in. all so a dear could use it for a scratching post

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Glad the video was helpful. Hopefully you can protect the next tree you buy. Sorry to hear that you lost the first one.

[@liznjim63]

Not only did the deer eat all the apples off my dwarf apple tree last year, but the rabbits chewed the bark off the bottom, all the way around. I read an article that a tree can survive if it has been debarked. Just wrap the area with plastic. There can be a layer of bark left that the eye cannot see and can grow back. I was desperate to save my little tree so I wrapped the base and every branch that got chewed. Now I have over 4 dozen baby apples growing on my tree! I know it has been a while since your tree was damaged. I hope you found a way to save it, but just in case you ever deal with that again, it doesn't necessarily mean your tree is a goner! All my best!

[@markbedard4484]

Thanks for the video. I will surely try this out.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

You’re welcome

[@jensmith4005]

Hello from Michigan. If you were speaking about the test site in Romeo, I worked there for a construction company building a new test track sometime in the early otts. I had 3 radios, 1 being security for the site. Deer sightings were immediately reported and all cars stopped. At that time, they were still culling them. Thanks for your advice. We're planning on planting fruit trees soon. Best wishes.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Yes, I was speaking about that test site. Crazy how the deer get into that place.

[@janwarriner6554]

I’ve got same problem with deer. Keep us posted and thanks for the idea!

[@CountryLivingExperience]

It worked.

[@SouthallTN]

For new fruit trees, I am putting up an 8 foot fence around each one…plus bird netting on top and mesh on the sides! It is more than I wanted to spend but I’m hoping it will be worth it… As they grow, I think I will have to put up a 10-12 foot fence around the orchard (or maybe 14 after watching this a video) And I’m really curious to try planting some shrubs that give off an unpleasant scent or are too prickly for the deer to eat…but I don’t want to attract the deer 😅

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Once they are a good height, you shouldn't need any more protection. I took mine down. My pears are quite large now and the deer only pick off a few fruit at the bottom edges. I just use the taller fences for the gardens so they can't jump in there and eat my pumpkins.

[@7wernli]

Irish springs soap hanging from the trees and motion detected sprinklers are useful too

[@JeffSaleBoat]

We tried this, the deer used it to climb on and reach higher up on the apple tree. We ended up using 2 layers of 4 foot metal fencing this same type with them separated slightly so that there's not enough room for the deer to jump into.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Interesting. It has always worked for us. There are many ways to protect them. I have heard the double layer method works well.

[@jimmypchacko]

I'd love an update on this. How did it work and what if anything would you do differently?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Worked well. There are deer in that orchard all the time. They leave the trees alone for easier food sources.

[@Drogothehusky]

@@CountryLivingExperience Fantastic to hear! We just put in 3 babies this past Sunday, two plum and an apricot and made a similar fence! We have a HORRIBLE deer problem here and was hoping the little fences would work long term, have only used them on non-edible shrubs and trees, didn’t know if they were going to try harder for fruit trees. This makes me feel better! Yay! Thanks for answering this guys question! 🥂 Cheers and happy gardening! 💚

[@patriotmjb]

Good job

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

[@elizabethmcgovern9731]

Hi had all this -a battery operated electric fence did it for us within a very short time they avoided all our fruit trees keep moving it about we used six old car batteries two we reclaimed all were no longer used in cars a fast 12 volt charger a long lead and your in business Good luck keep safe paul.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Good idea

[@markob7160]

This orange plastic net is not good, it starts deteriorating after a year and then you have microplastics all arround the garden.

[@bigv7386]

What I do is put a metal fence around it but it has pretty big holes around it that the deer can fit their head in. So then I put that orange plastic thing you put but with smaller holes and they can’t get to it at all

[@CountryLivingExperience]

That's a solid idea.

[@christinegarcia3269]

How do you keep grass from growing inside and outside the fencing. We had to do put up fencing around our peach trees for the same reason, now I have to deal with fire ants in the tree hole and grass. Any suggestions? I don’t like chemicals and that is what my neighbors are using.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

I just put my weed trimmer over the fence and trim.

[@jimmypchacko]

I talked to the guy that i use for alot of tree work in my area and told him he could dumb wood chips in my yard. Its a waste product for him and it makes a great organic mulch for my trees.

[@patricksalembier7352]

Funny, here I sit in Michigan near the Ford proving grounds and am looking how to stop those darn deer from eating off my trees. I just planted two apple trees a week ago and all the bottom half of the branches with leaves have been eaten. I will try this.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Nice! We used to live by the proving grounds at Fisher Rd. and 34 Mile Rd. in Bruce Twp. Hope this works out for you and you can deter those deer.

[@lindseyrenner]

I'm also near this area looking up the same thing!! 33 mile rd and armada ridge!

[@dcranch4820]

I have 20 fruit trees near my home. My long term plan is to share the fruit with the wildlife. So for now i have 5 ft page wire around each tree to keep the deer from eating the buds and rubbing. However the worse threat is in Sept, October, November when the bucks love to rub tender younger fruit trees. The page wire is a ugly eye sore but is needed if i want my trees to mature. I hope i live long enough to see the day when the trees are big enough so that the bucks leave them alone and the page wire can be removed. The fence makes it a real pain in the a$$ to mow around!

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Hope they do well. Mowing is a big pain for sure.

[@MichaelJosephJr934]

So is this fence going to be permanent?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

No. Just until the trunk is large enough to not be broken off by a large buck.

[@floydlholt9829]

I lost 40 trees due to deer. The deer ate all the branches that grew out of the wiring. Also deer bite "burns" tree branches.

[@leebarnes655]

I finally (after I had a reason) used a similar system at 10 feet away 7 foot long T posts and with four foot chicken wire. I soon learned that I should use barbed wire also at the top and bottom. Now thinking 12 foot distance a bit better as filled out trees get damaged rubbing the chicken wire. They got my leader on a full sized Stark Lodi. I'm still crying about it and that was almost 30 years ago. Then an intense hail storm ragged and striped the living bark off, then a bark removing operation by pack rats and past two years in a row the porcupines have developed the same bad habit. It's a wonder if they remain alive thru all that.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Cool. Bummer about your past losses. At least they stayed alive.

[@jamesscherping2461]

Me, in MI dealing with those darn deer. However NWF backyard habitat accomplished so it is give/take.

[@bridgefour5061]

I planted 4 apple trees and 2 peaches last year, cows and deer destroyed every single one. New plan this year, running a fence around perimeter for cows but I may try this for the deer too.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Blake McDaniels while this works as a deterrent for deer, it won’t stop a cow. They would just trample it. Best to get some cattle panels.

[@bridgefour5061]

Country Living Experience: A Homesteading Journey yeah I figured that would be the case. I am actually running a wider perimeter of barbed wire or hog wire panels for cows and the smaller enclosures around each tree for deer

[@bridgefour5061]

Country Living Experience: A Homesteading Journey have you ever experimented with hanging soap from your fruit trees to deter deer? I’ve been seeing this online but it sounds too easy to be true

[@CountryLivingExperience]

The soap trick is kind of true. Their highly sensitive noses think is is a person and it will initially deter them. They will get wise to that trick quickly though. Best thing is to have a outdoor dog around that will chase them off.

[@lostinmyspace4910]

I have a large fenced in area for my golden retriever to run freely. It's 80 X 110. The fence is goat fence four feet high. Can I put my fruit trees inside that fenced area and expect the deer to stay out, or will they jump inside if there's fruit on the trees. I want to grow peach trees, and apple trees because I am finally sick and tired of buying crappy fruit in grocery stores, picked green that never ripen, and is junk.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Unfortunately a deer can just hop right over that. Deer can standing jump 8ft and running jump 12 feet. They may stay out if the dog is there 24/7. Glad you want to grow your own food. It is very important.

[@yoshaunagunn1951]

My problem is my dog is tearing apart my peach tree to get the unripe fruit. Today he pulled on a beach so hard he split the trunk. I am at my wits end and so upset. I lashed the trunk together and hoping Mother Nature does her thing and the tree survives.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

He may need some training or obedience school

[@Tristargardens]

I had a large orchard in the middle of a large deer population with no fencing. I had zero problems with deer eating my fruit trees because I used field fence wire in about 6-7 ft. strips laid down one on each side of the fruit tree. It was a pain come mowing time but the deer wouldn't touch my trees because they couldn't see and didn't like stepping into the fencing on the ground. Just a thought.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Cool. Thanks for sharing.

[@in.der.welt.sein.]

What is that animal in the background around 2:37?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Phillip Gioan that was my dog. He is an insanely fast border Collie.

[@josephinegallegos2139]

Like your idea. Do you have any idea for coyotes.?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Coyotes won't bother fruit trees. Our property is totally fenced with cattle panels to keep the out generally. We have a dog too. I have never seen one on the property.

[@johnlisby4359]

bang bang

[@sarahmarieivfmommy8581]

So did it work?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

It did. I have not had any issues since.

[@QuincySweet2]

Have you used Sepp Holzer's bone sauce? I have 25 fruit trees without netting, all have bone sauce and no deer problems anymore. My orchard is on the edge of the woods and I see deer out there on a weekly basis walking past my fruit trees.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

I have never heard of it. I will give it a shot. Thanks for the heads up.

[@QuincySweet2]

Works like a charm. It's best to apply in the dormant season so it doesn't get into your fruit buds but you can be careful if you need it right away. I experimented with a few trees without nets at first to see how it worked. :) Good luck with those pesky deer!

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Thanks

[@wildacrefarm]

Where do you get this sauce? Sounds like something we could use on the grill! And do I understand correctly you just rub it all over the tree? Does I have an odor?

[@Papasmurf89]

Man I have a lot of deer on my property. I can’t keep them off my apple trees, pear trees, and even lemon trees but they don’t touch my banana trees. I’m going to try the fence thing but these deer actually reach down inside my homemade fence wrapped with screen

[@sandramontalvo4998]

Woke up this morning, found our cherry tree leaves all completely chewed up.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

That stinks. Hope you get them protected soon.

[@asinheaven]

Can you give an update on how this has been working?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

It has worked very well. No more damage from deer.......just bugs and disease lol.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

@The gardener Goats are more persistent. They would probably just push through the bottom.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

@The gardener Sorry. You're welcome.

[@doylemarkham1010]

My friend put 4 ft solar electric fence and then on the inside 3 ft in had a second electric solar fence 2 ft high & no more deer problem

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Yep. The double fence method works great.

[@carolparrish194]

I tied little bars of soap at different places on the tree that are getting nibbled. It seems to work for me but I didn't have limbs taken down by deer. Some animal climbed up my tree and got all of my unripened pears and broke a decent size limb which resulted in the tree dying. I am still trying to figure out what kind of animal that was. Maybe a fat raccoon or opossum.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

carol parrish probably a raccoon. They are so destructive. May have been a squirrel too.

[@wagonwheel9426]

We’ll, did it work?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Yes. No more issues with the fruit trees and we have a lot of deer.

[@miriammartinez5481]

Is this better than using chicken wire?

[@CountryLivingExperience]

It's way cheaper.

[@joem2745]

Tape razor blades to the branches? I'm guessing they won't be back.

[@jarodmorris611]

If in season, protect it with lead. Venison is delicious.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Lead is a good cure. Unfortunately I don't have time to sit out there every night.

[@jarodmorris611]

@@CountryLivingExperience it certainly prevents repeat offenders. ;-)

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Lol. For sure.

[@baileyvanblarcom4792]

Deer destroyed mine last night. I am devastated!!!!!

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Sorry to hear that. They are hungry.

[@billytodd9929]

To much off subject talking

[@philc.9280]

I saw a couple videos about hanging a bar of irish spring soap to a branch. Apparently this is the cheapest and a safest way to repel deer.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

I have never heard of this. May be an old wives tale. Give it a shot and see what happens.

[@LeeDaiYing]

It could be the animal fat in that soap that turns them off.

[@AntifaJesus315]

I think that's a great idea but my wife would never allow that to stay in the yard oh my God it's on sightly she would say

[@CountryLivingExperience]

Thanks

[@alicharba181]

W

[@blakespower]

we need to re release wolves bears are just to slow

[@michaeldavidson9939]

From the perspective of a Navy veteran and former long term scoutmaster, while I highly applaud you for flying the United States flag, the flag in your intro is torn. It is only respectful to retire and replace it.

[@CountryLivingExperience]

I did.

[@scottowensbyable]

My wife repairs flags for several local businesses and a flag supply company. She both repairs rips and reinforces new flags. Pays well for a partime job.

[@brucepowell7986]

you have a cow or goats they are worse than deer

[@CountryLivingExperience]

That is why I don't have either

[@khaleefax9553]

*lol - this is laughable. I tried that. my vegetation was all gone in a day.*

[@CountryLivingExperience]

No need to be rude. This has worked for us with no issues. As I said, it is a deterrent not a preventative. smh

[@billytodd7580]

Not interested in u fill in stuff just get to the point

[@kkw7910]

Maybe you could find other videos to watch? Most of us find it helpful to learn more about the issue that brought us here.