Central Ohio is fortunate to have a thriving white-tailed deer population. However, this presents certain challenges for homeowners who desire a beautiful and easy to maintain landscape. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, white-tailed deer were a very rare sight in central Ohio. According to ODNR, white-tailed deer were completely absent in Ohio from 1904 to 1923. Thanks to conservation efforts and hunting regulations, deer populations have rebounded in the state, but this has become a serious issue for maintaining an aesthetically pleasing property.

Deer damage landscape plantings by consuming plant material and territorial marking during the mating season. There are three main strategies for preventing deer from damaging your landscape plantings: selection of plant material, protecting plant material, and limiting deer’s access to your property. 

First, the selection of plant material in areas prone to deer is of utmost importance. Deer favor certain plants in their diet over others. Although it’s not a 100% guarantee, selecting plants known for their “deer resistance” can certainly help discourage deer from foraging in your yard. Plants with coarse and/or scented foliage appear to be the best at discouraging deer. 

Protecting your plantings is another landscape management strategy to help combat deer damage in the landscape. Homeowners can use commercially available deer deterrent products that release an off-putting smell. However, these products need to be reapplied frequently. Proper plant selection is less labor-intensive and less costly in the long-term when compared to commercial deer deterrents. Another issue is that male deer will rub their antlers on small trees and shrubs during the fall/early winter mating season as a territorial marking display. Young trees should have a protective barrier to limit this type of damage to the trunk, and shrubs can be netted or caged. This is primarily important during the first few years while trees and shrubs are in their establishment phase.

The final strategy for protecting your property is limiting deer’s access. The white-tailed deer is a very habitual animal, and they generally follow the same daily routines just like you and me. Also, deer will generally take the path of least resistance when confronted with a barrier. Deer can jump over a fence with ease, but only if there is something they strongly desire on the other side. Fencing is a great strategy for discouraging their movement through your property, especially when coupled with proper plant selection.