Deer protection for new hedge

[Snow and Rocks]

Hoping to plant a new native hedgerow this winter and wondered if anyone has done similar in an area with lots of deer?

It'll be around 100m long and perhaps 3 rows deep so a fairly substantial number of plants to protect (maybe 700 ish). No rabbits at all to worry about, just plenty of deer.

Seems overkill to properly deer fence off the 100 x 3m strip but it might be easier than 700 individual guards?

[Sideways Tim]

Individual guards as you plant each one. You’d have to fence both sides to keep deer out and then some other four legged tosser would eat them anyway.

[Hereward]

I have a deer problem in my area. My laid hedgerow needs full stock fence protection until the re-growth is well established.

The problem with the tree guards is the deer will simply browse off the emerging shoots as they emerge from the top.

[Huzzah]

We use 1.2m tubes, generally effective (roe & muntjac mainly)

[Panamax]

Snow and Rocks said:

Seems overkill to properly deer fence off the 100 x 3m strip

You've got no choice IMO. The b*******s have eaten everything around here during this summer's drought, even getting their teeth into the laurels and some conifers.

Either plant what they don't eat or accept relentless fencing.

Now let me tell you about the foxes...

[smithyithy]

Some general guidance from British Deer Society:

https://bds.org.uk/information-advice/issues-with-...

[Snow and Rocks]

Thanks everyone, looks like I might have to just get on and do some fencing.

The main garden is fully enclosed with 2m deer fencing but this is some distance away and I don't want it fenced going forward but needs must I guess.

Not convinced individual guards are going to allow the plants to bush out properly either.

[Huzzah]

I do some work for a forestry charity, we use tubes on everything, hedges and new plantations. Once established (typically 5 yrs) tubes come off.

We tried planting without tubes in a low deer area, it was destroyed in a couple of yrs and had to be re-planted with tubes.

Personally I dislike tubes, extra labour and plastic, but they do work, and help protect the whips from rodents too. Once removed the plants soon bush out.

Edited by Huzzah on Monday 19th October 09:25

[theposhboy]

If temporary could you use herras fencing? It sells for near enough whatbut costs new on fb as people always wanting it, me included! Putting actually fencing in will be more labour intensive and much lower resale value when your done with it

[5 In a Row]

Tie an old sock filled with some hair clippings to the planting.

This appeared to work for me with various newly planted trees and bushes.

I'd gone to the extent of building a fenced enclosure round a couple of Cypress trees which kept the deer at bay for a year but as soon as they could reach they bit the heads off them

Obviously the sock/hair method will be a bit of a trial for 700 plants!

I also previously found that deer will quite happily take a chunk off something and if they don't like it spit it out.
Its nice to know what they don't like but invariably they bite the top off things which kills vertical growth and the next season some new, inexperienced, deer come along and take more chunks out of whatever it is.

[Cheib]

We have deer in our garden….maybe go with something that they don’t typically eat ? It’s trial and error they definitely eat things that the books/guides say they won’t.

We have box, privet and laurel which get left alone but maybe that’s because they’re mature. Wouldn’t be planting box either !

https://www.instanthedge.com/deer-resistant-hedges...

[hidetheelephants]

Snow and Rocks said:

Hoping to plant a new native hedgerow this winter and wondered if anyone has done similar in an area with lots of deer?

It'll be around 100m long and perhaps 3 rows deep so a fairly substantial number of plants to protect (maybe 700 ish). No rabbits at all to worry about, just plenty of deer.

Seems overkill to properly deer fence off the 100 x 3m strip but it might be easier than 700 individual guards?

Try the Miyawaki method? Fencing will still be needed but it grows up quicker than with conventional planting, so the fence can be removed sooner.

[Magooagain]

I’m about to dig up American oak saplings which are growing well in woodland inhabited by deer and boar and plant them out in my new field. It’s a faff to protect them that’s for sure. I think I will try six or so first and see how they go. Definitely deer and boar in the field every night at the moment.

[Snow and Rocks]

Some interesting suggestions there and had to Google the Miyawaki method!

It's on either side of our road end so it needs to look reasonably tidy given it'll be up for a few years so Heras fencing is out. Would be quick and easy though!

I think I'll price up the materials to fence it properly and compare to the tubes. It's a native mixed hedge I'm planting so there will be a fair mix of species that I'm sure the endless roes and odd red will happily devour.

I planted 100 Scots pines I was given randomly around a few years back without protection and every single one was eaten! Oddly alder and birch self seed all over the place and never seem to get eaten.