10 Best Trees For Whitetails

Here are my top 10 trees for whitetails. The best tree for deer isn't a great tree alone. However, when you combine several of these top deer trees within the same small deer parcel, you will find an incredible whitetail and wildlife deer parcel!
To make sure that you understand the best timber prscrices that fit your land, check out my collection of web classes:
www.whitetailhabitatsolutions...
Recognizing the best trees where you hunt is one thing, but also make sure that you are following my highly proven weather based hunt predictions when you actually head out to hunt. Check out HuntCast, at:
huntwise.com/sturgis

[@kurtpearson2793]

Would love a video of your full rabbit habitat video that shows reasons and methods. Seems like fun!

[@dswish1730]

What a coincidence..Was just watching exodus pod cast on how you buy and sell land.Your a very smart man Jeff.Not only in the deer industry.But real estate too..Great stuff..

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks D...can't say I'm too smart about it but I have benefited from buying and selling a few chunks!

[@JackFrostTheDeerHunter]

Number 10 Tree; Tip; Having a random spruce in the hardwoods with branches to the ground is a good thing. Twice in my life I have witnessed does crawling underneath a spruce tree that had branches all the way to the ground and I could not see them from just a few feet away. Another great video.

[@moosejcthunter5686]

I bought a house in my hometown when I was 21. 19yrs later, I sold it in 2021 for a song! Bought my family's 40 acres this fall with it. Cannot wait to get started on the habitat improvements that I've learned from you over the years. Going to purchase your design class from you next month. Thank you for all you do for us all. Happy new year.

[@RS-ms1bz]

Jeff, I appreciate all the free information you give in these videos. I have such a great plan for my property and am working hard to improve the land and herd, and with the guidance your videos give, am super excited about being the number one influencer this coming season.

[@lenkurzynske8735]

Great Material/Information,as usual. You continue to build my knowledge of our 85 acres,which allows us to build the best deer habitat in northern Wisconsin!

[@craigweinmann320]

I just ordered my trees today. White spruce, Norway spruce, and balsam. The better the mix of trees, the better the habitat. I have owned my central Minnesota property for 16 years and have planted over 20 different species of trees. It has made a huge difference.

[@jasondiaz7611]

Love the white spruce addition. Looking to plant some blocking a property line in the woods with being more shade tolerant

[@bucksbucksoutdooradventure4973]

Good suggestion with the spruce over the long term. Thanks Dylan

[@dennybirchfield]

Headed out today to do some habitat work check cams and maybe try to take a doe this evening. Stay warm out there fellas

[@mitchellgenz1373]

Great information Jeff and Dylon.

[@peterj727]

Another great informational video Jeff! One tree I don’t hear you mention is ash. Specifically white ash. On my northern Wisconsin property we don’t have box elder but lots of ash. It seems like this is one of their preferred browse species. They also hinge cut greatly and are very prolific at sending out new shoots.

[@olibadger9016]

Never knew deer like black locust seed pods. During my post season walk found areas around black locusts trees where they have been hitting them hard (more than my turnips). Have a lot of river birch trees on my property, don't seem to be much wildlife value as far as food. Time to get the saw out. Very good content Jeff. Always getting new ideas.

[@jesseteick891]

Great to finally seeing your cameraman

[@lambertsaldi1550]

Great Review and information thank you 👍👍🐾🦌🍁 The Vermonter

[@sandych33ks1]

Great video , as the - 20 degree Temps have stopped all work outside. Lol I'm in the Adirondacks of NY and I have 35 chestnut trees. They seem to be doing well several years in now.

[@andyjones6361]

Wow Jeff You have so much info and knowledge it’s like brain overload!! Been feeding deer from the start. Just doing a mix of whole shell and cracked corn. I have it in gravity feeders so there is feed present all the time which feeds everything from turkeys, squirrels birds coons and the target whitetail. I’m buying trees for both ascetics and wildlife. So when I plant spice and pine should I plant them in groves of similar species or dispersed randomly?? So many questions just want to benefit the wildlife as I bring on privacy and screening Planning switch, forage, and screening all at the same time. Wish I could pick your brain for about an hour or two??

[@normyoder2622]

Just watch where you were on Exodus trail camera podcast.thanks for sharing some of your life experiences concerning real-estate buying and flipping .Great subject on a channel mostly about whitetails. All related right?.also reveals a side of you most of us didn't know about but it makes me appreciate you more. Always great topics and look forward to next one

[@Framkie87]

What are your thoughts on pine trees? I have a nice variety of trees on my 36 acres. I'm not sure if I should get rid of most of the larger mature Lobolly pines for more sunlight for food plots and leave the smaller ones. Thank you for all of your videos! They are really helpful as I recently bought the land last spring and got into hunting.

[@martin5946]

Would be interested in thoughts around top shrub species to utilize/plant for screening and define movement in woods and other low light areas

[@trevorgirard2649]

Great video. I see birch isnt on the list. I have a couple of 15 year old clear cuts that seem like the birch became the dominant tree. I have been slowly thinning them out as they have not been helping as good browse or deer bedding but should I be planting these areas with something else as i get some open pockets? They grow thin and tall, tried hingeing some but they are as you say pretty brittle.

[@joshuariddensdale2126]

In the management area where I pheasant hunt, there are mostly red oak and maple. Plus a few old apple trees, since it was all farmland in the old days.

[@alexpinnow6509]

Great video Jeff and Dylan! Would you order spruce/conifer seedlings from the DNR or a nursery?

[@northeasterndirtandpropert7974]

Deer migration happens like clock work here in Northeast Ontario.Every winter into the valleys of white cedar and hemlock for snow cover and browse along the ottawa river.My property is all mixed browse of hardwoods and conifers.Ridges and valleys.Deer move in and so do wolves.

[@ronbonofiglio7654]

Jeff, I'm a retired commercial glass contractor. We often had left over aluminum panels, which make great roofs for the very bottom pallet on your rabbitat houses. Keeps them dry. Lasts for ever.

[@LillyLegacyWWOD]

Jeff, I have an interesting one for you. Paulownia, or empress splendor. My dad and I work with a company called World Tree to grow these trees in north Florida. I’m in the second year of growing them and the deer absolutely love them, so much to the point that I have had to fence them off individually. We grow them to be tall and straight but it would be incredibly easy to keep them short and bushy. Plus they are incredibly hard to kill and really respond fast to being browsed by deer. Realistically you could cut them down every year and they would start regrowing lots of new shoots from the stump.

[@user-yo4it6tx5e]

Thanks for the info sir

[@whitetailhabitatandhunting]

Thanks Jeff! I really want to plant my pasture in woods, which trees would be best for that?

[@mike81399]

Thanks Jeff 👍

[@adamredden2007]

What do I do with my tulip poplar stands? I thought those would be good for removal to daylight the ground and either do plots or maybe hinge for bedding cover? I'm new at creating habitat so just real nervous about what to take out, but I've learned a lot already from your videos. Thanks! I'm Zone 6B WV Appalachian mountains

[@kurtpearson2793]

How do I get my small pocket of aspen to expand? Remove neighboring trees or cut some of the biggest aspen and let those roots take over?

[@Pilled_red]

Conifers could be lumped into one category. I also like black gum. A junk tree as far as lumber is concerned but it hinges well, deer really like the browse, and it produces some good mast that turkeys, grouse, and even deer utilize.

[@bowman8316]

Great information as always ! Ty Go Bills

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thanks David...and wow, what a slaughter last night by the Bills!

[@bowman8316]

Thanks Jeff ! Glad you watched👍🏻

[@chief1193]

I have a ridge beside my house that drops off 200 yards straight down. There is a trial about 40 yards down over the ridge. It really thick in that area.I don’t have any deer until hunting season, I’m adding a licking branch and a water hole. Will that get. The deer in there more.

[@MegaBraunie]

Jeff Quick Question. For best success of Box Elder seed plantings should I harvest the seeds now and keep them in cool garage or leave them on the trees, harvest and plant in spring? Would I just bury them just below the ground surface? (Central Wisconsin) Thanks in advance.

[@johnheitkamp4792]

We have a bunch of shag bark hickory in my area in Central Eastern Indiana, how well do those tree hold up to hinging?

[@kurtpearson2793]

What are some limits to proximity to houses and driveways? How close and what screening do use when isolating human edifice? Thanks for all the great info and content!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Kurt! That depends on the area, amount if covet, # of deer, etc. Greater distance is required in big, open wilderness parcels...closer distances are acceptable in small, low cover regions.

[@mikehamm4987]

Hi Jeff. I have a .66 acre spot that I’m scattering spruce for thermal cover. How many would you put in. Also do you protect them or just replant any that die or deer rub on

[@tittyrino]

I love First Lite gear.MAMMUT jackets for extreme cold.

[@drewharman1690]

Would it be ok Jeff for the timber guy to take out a few of the big white oaks that are kinda leaning that aren’t really producing anything?

[@GoneCarnivore]

Deer love browsing honey locust. I've had some that never grow past knee high

[@carsonschulz6498]

If the red cedar has no cover for 5-6ft off the ground, does that remove all its value? What about your thoughts on some southern Midwest trees - hedge/Osage orange, hackberry, basswood, ash, elm, blackgum etc? Thank you for all the content (hoping to see a video dedicated to corn plantings and some plans for larger 160+ acre properties during the spring habitat season)!!

[@scottwebber652]

What’s ur version of the berries on red cedars - good at all ?any good as feed how about basswood. Also prolific

[@aaronshorter864]

Are red or white cedars a good alternative to hemlock? Having a hard time getting hemlock this year. I’m another one that would love to hear thoughts on perennial shrubs too

[@jroberts2535]

Looking at a piece of ground that has a old clear cut that’s loaded with Tulip Poplar.. any value in clearing that and starting regen?

[@beachralph]

I got white cedar and spruce and poplar and some birch so trying to figure out we’re the deer go from summer to fall my next job

[@bobwiese6128]

Thanks Brother!!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Sure thing Bob!

[@spencerlofkvist4001]

Thank you Sir for all you do. I have a few producing apple trees, I was looking into persimmon? I'm in NW WI. Any thoughts or experiences? Thanks again for your videos Gents.

[@carsonschulz6498]

I wouldn’t waste your money on persimmons that far north - unlikely you’ll get fruit to mature if they survive the cold. Depending on how far north, you might have luck with nurseries you that way that have grafted varieties proven to produce up there (Morse nursery is one I know, but I think where they are in Michigan is plenty south and they’ve only had a variety or two do well). Hope that helps. I know some guys that have had horrible luck with persimmons in NE Iowa so can’t imagine NW WI would fare better

[@chief1193]

The Legend!

[@36racin]

A family member recently purchased 400 acres in north east Louisiana. Predominately ag land surrounding(Rice mostly). This property was treed 20 years ago with what we were told 4 types of oaks. Property not enrolled in WRP. Spent a few day on the property last week and it appears there is a need for major thinning. Trees too close to each other and no sunlight to ground inside the stand when trees still have leaves. Would like to make this a great hunting property...Any suggestions?

[@davidmingues9553]

So I just planted 2 chest nut trees one at each end of my food plot. Is this a good or bad place for them?

[@jeffreyellis137]

What ate your thoughts on buckthorn and buckthorn removal?

[@13buckhill]

What about a stand of Staghorn sumac? Is this beneficial to deer?

[@eugenelaky1993]

I'm planting 30 hybrid chestnut trees on my property this spring and 30 more this fall. Deer prefer chestnuts 100:1 over accorns

[@Pwrcritter]

My crabapple trees still have lots of fruit still on them. How do they rank?

[@blazeice111]

Are you planting Aspen saplings or seeds? I can't seem to get them going from seed. Where do you buy them from?

[@patrickmucci7968]

I’ve got a square 40 in southern MI that is currently an old Ag field. Looking to implement diversity pockets into it. But can I just plant a food plot on edge of the property or do I need to blend the diversity pockets into the food somehow? Thanks for all your content!

[@tomrigney5385]

B b ii

[@kensolesky4165]

Jeff what’s your educated guess to how far upwind you can be to not alarm a buck once again just a guess

[@JoeJohnson-ii7ww]

Where do holly tree stand in importance? My moist soils are full of them.

[@BlanchardsBees]

Trying to get some Red osier dogwood to root out from some cuttings now to add to a 4 arce abandoned homestead im working on.

[@marksommer873]

I tried two years. First year mostly a bust as I just stuck them in the ground. They leafed out at first and did great, but as summer wore on they all died off except one. The soil got dry I assume and roots died. Second year I cut in spring, treated with rooting hormone and stuck them in pots filled with sand, and set the pots in a bin and kept inche of water in bottom of bin which sand could pull up through holes in bottom of pots. Keeping that sand moist all summer made the difference and had 100% success and out-planted last fall and hope they do well.

[@BlanchardsBees]

@@marksommer873 thanks! I'm trying a few different ways but I don't have much of a green thumb.

[@jowhi9296]

What category does silver maple fall into Jeff?

[@austingaines9269]

What is your perspective on walnut trees?

[@baovercomer9021]

I would love to see a video of how identify these trees .

[@billfresh3776]

I just suck at identifying tree species. I bought small pic books to help but still tough to know what tree is what beyond oaks and maples

[@dennybirchfield]

Also still waiting for your map of your place to see how a real pro does it. Is the yellow colored grass switch coming out the woods. So it would be woods switch grass's then food plot

[@Twistedtimber007]

Great video as always! I am rebuilding an old ag field in west Michigan back to wildlife habitat. Looking to order lots of different trees this spring. Other than cold stream farm, where is the best place in Michigan to purchase a wide variety of trees?

[@jackbuys3711]

I have found that most conservation districts (counties) will have large sales in the spring. Note that most will be in the small seedling stage. I have bought a couple hundred Norway Spruce for a little over $100. I have also bought Red Osier Dogwood and fruit trees there.

[@carsonschulz6498]

Missouri Dept Conservation has good seedling prices. I’d check local states forestry depts for sales too. Good luck

[@marksommer873]

I agree those sources mentioned by others are great. Just want to mention if you use small sized trees you really need to control competing vegetation to give them a chance.

[@truckert9729]

Our family property use to have a huge apple orchard, many trees still on there. But, most of the trees are on their last leg. Want to replace them mostly along with something for browse.

[@carsonschulz6498]

Could also try pruning the old trees to reinvigorate them if you haven’t done so already. Haven’t done it myself but found a lot of info on fertilizing/pruning old neglected trees to get them back in shape while researching info on establishing my trees

[@SnowmanR72]

Try a Red-OsierDogwood Shrub. Fast growing, nip it all winter. Dogwood thrives in bottomlands and wet areas.

[@kevinfowler6065]

Most excellent list, I’ll take Dillons advice and add white spruce in some areas I opened up in the woods yesterday. Thanks again. Ps be sure to bring your deer hides to weibke for a free pair of gloves.

[@daveulrich4623]

Hi Jeff, I have been doing a good amount of research on chestnut trees. Do you recommend Dunstan variety or Chinese? I just worry about disease and blight. Thanks!!

[@carsonschulz6498]

There’s really not a huge difference between them - Dunstan has a lot of Chinese in its cross breeding. If you want Dunstans for a lot cheaper than Walmart/Chestnut Hill you can get seeds from Chestnut Ridge of Pike County. I grow about 25 a year (could get 40-50 if I tended them better) for the price of one nursery tree. If you have old American chestnut stragglers that have blight in your area, definitely stay away from growing American chestnuts but Chinese/Dunstans are both fine. I have both on my place in Eastern KS, caging them, keeping weeds around them to a minimum, fertilizing and most importantly not planting them in wet areas is the most important so far. Most of the WM/Chestnut Hills I planted were weaker being grown tightly against a tall stake - either would snap off or die back to the stump but putting a 5/6ft tube on the stump sprouts saved most and they shot back up. Frustrating in the first years since they don’t grow very fast until their roots get established. Hope that helps. Deer will eat them to death if allowed, only thing I’ve found they will get at before them are apple and pear trees. Hoping once they hit 10 years I can remove any protection besides something like chicken wire to stop rubbing but at 5yrs I’m starting to get chestnuts on them

[@myronlaidler8034]

Miss a former lease that had all those species except Red Cedar and and Box elder.That property was sold and new owner doesn't hunt it. River bottom flood plane loaded with White Cedars and yellow Birch ,thermal cover this time of year and buck bedding too in adjacent Cattail marsh

[@dennybirchfield]

Did we forget about red osier dogwood or is that considered a shrub

[@aj_jk1337]

Here in Mississippi, the number 1 plant that has all the scrapes, licking branches and rubs around it is yaupon holly- hands down. It naturally contains caffeine, which is probably why they're nocturnal lol jk. They're getting jacked on that yaupon!

[@michaelamos7373]

Morning Jeff I was going to add some soft mass trees to my food plots this year but you may have changed my mind a little. Do you know the name of the chestnut farm in so.Ohio. I may try planting chestnut 🌰 trees also. Thanks

[@dswish1730]

Hey Chris,I have a ton of germinated chest nut .They are in my fridge.I live in Pa.And would be glad to send you 50 or so.Just need to know where to..

[@dswish1730]

Seedlings are very pricey..If ya got dirt I think they will come up for ya..

[@michaelamos7373]

@@dswish1730 Thanks for reaching out D. I live in Canton, Ohio but have some property a little south of Zanesville, Ohio. Not sure the best way to get ahold of you but I'm very thankful that you offered. 👍👍

[@dswish1730]

@@michaelamos7373 I can send them to a PO Box??

[@JohnWayne-kx7nd]

Jeff, the term is MAST not MASS. keep up the good work. Thanks

[@trentw3614]

Jeff what’s your thought on the Red Dogwood, can hardly scroll thru KZbin without someone saying you should plant some.

[@marksommer873]

In case Jeff does not respond, he has praised it in other videos. But he probably did not mention since it is not a tree, but a shrub.

[@trentw3614]

@@marksommer873 thank you sir!

[@billkeith2266]

What would make some great content is how to identify these trees by leaves and also bark only.

[@markpiersall9815]

White Swamp Oak, Persimmon, Honey Locust and you already mentioned Chestnut. The American Chestnut Foundation will send you Hybrid American Chestnuts that are blight resistant due to crossing with Asian Chestnuts for joining at a $300 level membership.

[@Family.whitetails913]

Is tulip poplar as good as Aspen for the deer?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Great for cover when young and grows fast...but not good for browse value.

[@Family.whitetails913]

Thank you!

[@charliecoleman4730]

Deer yards? Never heard that term, can you elaborate? Thanks for all the good info!

[@myronlaidler8034]

A deer yard in Michigans Upper Pennisula is usually a thick white Cedar swamp that deer will migrate to some times many miles when snow depth signals them to leave fall habitat and seek out thermal protection and browse.Many times the areas they occupy in fall will get 100" or more snow depth over the winter.Those yards will contain a large number of deer that travel in less snow and eat all browse they are able to reach and many young deer will die there as they cannot reach the food that bigger deer can.Nature is a cruel killer....

[@charliecoleman4730]

@@myronlaidler8034 I had no clue, thanks

[@dswish1730]

A friend just brought me 2 big ziplock bags of chestnut .They are germinated.I put them in my fridge.But what to do with 400 trees🤔

[@timhatfield6367]

You could send a few to Chris Lint in Ohio..lol heard he's looking for some.

[@dswish1730]

@@timhatfield6367 Do ya think he would let me come hunt over them in about 5 years??Pretty sure their are enough to go around.I would have no problem sending some your way..Where to send them 🤔

[@timhatfield6367]

Never know..unless you contact him, I read his comment before I got to yours. Great friendships start in odd ways sometimes. I live in Indiana and it would be awsome to swap hunts with someone in another state or area. He'd probably be tickled if you offered him a few germinated chestnuts. I don't know the guy but I think we're all involved with whitetail habatat solutions as outdoorsman and nature in general.

[@dswish1730]

@@timhatfield6367 I used to hunt Ripley county.Their are some great deer their.The lease got a little pricey for me.But I might come bow hunt this fall..Cross plains ring a bell??

[@timhatfield6367]

@@dswish1730 yes I've heard of it.. I used to go to Jennings co.east of North Vernon had 220acres to hunt next to Brush Creek reservoir. But it sold. Have friend who owns ground in Madison County they hardly see many deer compared to few years back. I think dnr pushed doe tags for too long down south you could get up to 8 extra antlerless tags on top of your regular quotas. Everyone headed south for too many years and now they only allow 2. Got lots of turkey though. I live in Blackford co.but hunt north in Cass Co. on farmground my wife's family owns now it is up in the air cause wife's dad and brother passed they farmed 900 acres and wife's siblings don't want to deal with cash renting the farm ground so if I'm lucky they'll split it amongst the 5 of them and my wife's part we can crp or plant trees or whatever it takes to pay yearly taxes. Wow ..didn't mean to write a book. Sorry wife gets upset if I try to influence one way or the other..lucky to have hunted there for 20 years.

[@bucksutherland7807]

Black hills spruce needs to be on this list. 100x better then norway or white spruce over several decades

[@bvsproductions9021]

What about basswood?

[@myronlaidler8034]

Deer love Bass Wood leaves and humans do eat them too! Good as lettuce, if not eaten by many insects...

[@GoneCarnivore]

In the south all anyone wants to plant is sawtooth oaks.

[@LeeByrdPro]

Ping me when he gets a list specifically for the Southeast...

[@stevoky]

So you are not talking about tulip poplar. Correct

[@Gerbertron83]

Don't forget about Ironwood trees.

[@Gerbertron83]

What's the name I should be asking for?

[@NorthOf8]

How did a Blink-182 song end up on your food plot play list? 😆 and did i win something for noticing?!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Haha...pretty funny! Not sure? It isn't there now 😁 thank you!

[@bengrosz3837]

Do deer like Osage Orange?

[@bobmann4736]

Here in S.E. Ohio deer will eat them in late winter after most food sources gone. Often digging in snow and eating half of one @ a time.

[@runtimmytimer]

White pine is completely worthless in SW Wisconsin. How do I know? I've been trying to get rid of some for 2+ years. If you're planting white pine for timber value, I'd reach out to a forestry consultant in your area to get an idea of what they're actually worth. Don't be surprised if you hear they're worth nothing.

[@samuelmiron806]

Wait so like a Christmas tree?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Sometimes...

[@exotictones1054]

They ate my spruce to the ground.

[@stevenross9553]

I hate to say it but you said tinder nips Jeff lol

[@stevenross9553]

Really enjoy your videos bud , just a ton of great information . Thank you

[@mjuberian]

Paper birch provides excellent winter browse, Jack pine and white spruce thermal cover, and Aspen live far longer than 40-60 years. You sound like a parrot for some forester.