Buck Rub

[Buck]

I bought a five acre field that adjoins my property. I planted many maples (~6-8 feet) last spring. This fall, the deer bucks rubbed ~80% off the circumference of a four to six inch length of bark off the trees.

Originally, I thought the "Buck Rub" was 100% and talked to a tree pro and he said they would all die. ( This was on a local radio show)

I remember he was quite particular in asking me if the complete circumference was rubbed off. I said yes, only to realize later that I was wrong.

Anyone with experiences here that you could share?

 

[Buck]

Thanks for the input. BTW, the fellow I talked to said that if the buck-rub was 100% to cut the tree at the start of the rub and that would produce a maple shrub.

 

[Highbeam]

Ah yes, the sprouts. I though for sure I was being smart by leaving a 3 foot stump on a maple I cut down. This would give me leverage to rip the stump out when I get around to it. Well a year goes by and that stump is a huge bush of maple. I have no doubt that the bush would eventually become a tree. In that way, I suppose even ringing it doesn't guarantee a kill of the tree below the ring.

 

[DMF]

I planted 2 apple trees last spring and this fall a buck all but destroyed both of them...

Last year I lost 39 Christmas trees to deer; mostly eating them but a lot of buck rub damage as well... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[meledward23]

Ringing prevents the flow of the "life blood" of the tree up and down. The roots often survive as they have reserves and can do without for sometime.

I know a place where they have a Bradford Pear up against a building and espalier it against the structure. It looks great but about every 4 -5 years they cut it off just above the ground. If you select a few main branches it will achieve the same height in just 3 years.

If you are looking to prevent the deer, good luck. In GA Deer are Tree Growers worst enemy. Many of them have 10' Ht. Fence lines. Even then a few report dead deer on the inside as they break bones trying to jump over it.

 

[Chuck52]

I have a five foot circle of 52" fence wire around every apple, crab apple, peach, cherry, plum, Carpathian walnut, and pecan tree I've planted. I wasted time and effort planting walnut and pecan trees without protecting them. Those were inexpensive conservation department trees, but I planted about 25 of each, so there was considerable effort involved. The deer killed them all. So, when I plant a tree I want to survive, I circle it with fence for at least the first five years. I may remove the fence from the largest of my apples this year, but even then I will either protect the trunk with a barrier, or use a repellent or something. I planted a river birch about three years ago which was a 20' plus tree. I didn't figure it needed protection, but a buck did rub it this past year. I think it will be OK, because it looks as if only the bark which sheds on this species was rubbed off. Eat more deer.

Chuck

 

[scesnick]

If you are having that much trouble maybe you should call your state Dept of Natural Resources and see if you qualify for a crop damage permit. Afterall, a box of .308 rounds is a heck of alot cheaper than all those fences.

 

[MikeD74T]

Scesnick's right, if a fence won't keep deer out ,the freezer will definitely keep them in !!!

 

[DuckBuster]

Not to hijack the thread, but....
Why do people paint the base of the tree white? I've seen this a few times in Ga and now my neighbor in Florida has done it. It REALLY looks like crap, so I'm assuming it has a purpose??

 

[deerefan]

They say it repels caterpillars, though I do not see how.

 

[strokerduster]

didn't know white paint would repel a D8........... ok i'll shut up /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[goaliedad]

A friend of mine had trouble with deer eating thier shrubs and flowers- they leave a radio tuned to a talk station turned on outside their house- seems to work for them. Maybe thier deer prefer rock and roll.

As for the painting of trees- it is most likely whitewash- lime and water. The lime helps with insect damage and the white color prevents winter scald. In winter the dark bark of the tree absorbs heat, not good for the tree. The white wash reflects the heat.