- A hungry mature deer can eat up to 10 lbs. of its body weight per day. Deer prefer the white pine and mugo pine species more than other pines, but when hungry enough, deer will eat almost anything. A pine will die if deer continually feed on the tree or destroy the topmost bud of the seedling. Constant grazing of the bark or branches expose the vulnerable cambium of the inner tree, possibly subjecting to tree to fungal diseases and insect infestation.
- A pine tree that has been grazed on by deer is not necessarily going to die. As long as the damage is not too severe and the grazing is not contiuous, the tree will live. Deer repellents and tree protection such as a fence will help deter deer. Remedial action on existing damage, such as bud capping and scribing bark wounds, will help the tree recover from severe damage.
- Pines are resilient; however, while a tree may grow new branches and scab over damaged bark, a severely damaged tree will not survive. Periodically inspect the pine tree for signs of severe grazing. If deer are targeting the pine, use repellent or enclose the tree with a fence.
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