This list is only provided for general guidance in selecting plants based on their deer damage potential. Keep in mind that deer are “dietary generalists” and will eat just about anything if they are curious or hungry enough. Also, not all plants below are native to the US or Michigan and those that are both non-native and known to spread aggressively have been flagged.
Trees: Low Chance of Deer Browse Damage
- Ash species - Fraxinus spp.
- Beech, American - Fagus granidifolia
- Birches - Betula spp.
- Birch, Paper - Betula papyrifera
- Birch, River - Betula nigra
- Catalpa - Catalpa speciosa
- Chestnut - Castenea dentata
- Ginkgo - Ginkgo biloba
- Gum, Sweet - Liquidambar styraciflua
- Hickory, Shagbark - Carya ovata
- Ironwood - Ostrya virginiana
- Larches - Larix spp.
- Lilac, Tree - Syringa reticulata
- Locust, Black - Robinia pseudoacacia *Not native to MI and can be very aggressive and considered invasive, not recommended!
- Locust, Honey - Gleditsia triacanthos
- Pine, Austrian - Pinus nigra
- Pine, Red - Pinus resinosa
- Pine, Scotch - Pinus sylvestris
- Redbud, Eastern - Cercis canadensis
- Redcedar - Juniperus virginiana
- Sassafras - Sassafras albidum
- Spruce, Colorado - Picea pungens
- Spruce, Norway - Picea abies
- Spruce, White - Picea glauca
- Sycamore - Platanus sycamore
- Tuliptree - Liriodendron tulipifera
Trees: Moderate Chance of Deer Browse Damage
- Basswood - Tilia Americana
- Fir, Douglas - Pseudotsuga menziezee
- Fir, White - Abies concolor
- Hemlock - Tsuga canadensis
- Horsechestnut - Aesculus hippocastanum
- Maple, Red - Acer rubrum
- Maple, Silver - Acer saccharinium
- Maple, Sugar - Acer saccharum
- Oak, Northern Red - Quercus rubra
- Oak, White - Quercus alba
- Willows - Salix spp.
Trees: High Chance of Deer Browse Damage
- Aspens - Populus spp.
- Cedar, Northern White (arborvitae) - Thuja occidentalis
- Cherry, Black - Prunus serotina
- Cherry, Choke - Prunus virginiana
- Cherry, Pin - Prunus pensylvanica
- Fir, Balsam - Abies balsamea
- Maple, Norway - Acer platanoides *Not native to US and can be very aggressive and invasive, not recommended!
- Pine, Eastern White - Pinus strobus
Shrubs and Small Trees: Low Chance of Deer Browse Damage
- Barberry, Common - Berberis vulgaris *Not native to US and considered be very aggressive and invasive, not recommended!
- Blueberries - Vaccinium spp.
- Boxwood, Common - Busux sempervirens
- Butterflybush - Buddleia davidii
- Dogwood, Flowering - Cornus florida
- Dogwood, Kousa - Cornus kousa
- Dogwood, Redosier - Cornus sericea
- Hawthorns - Crataegus spp.
- Hazelnut, American - Corylus Americana
- Holly, American - Ilex opaca
- Honeysuckle, American - Lonicera canadensis
- Laurel, Mountain - Kalmia latifolia
- Lilac, Common - Syringa vulgaris
- Mountain Ash, American - Sorbus americana
- Mulberries - Morus spp.
- Rosemary, Bog - Andromeda polifolia
- Sassafras - Sassafras albidum
- Snowberry - Symphoricarpos albus
- Spicebush - Lindera benzoin
- Spireas - Spirea spp.
- Sumacs - Rhus spp.
Shrubs and Small Trees: Moderate Chance of Deer Browse Damage
- American Hornbeam - Carpinus caroliniana
- Eastern Redbud - Cercis canadensis
- Magnolias - Magnolia spp.
- Ninebark - Physocarpus opulifolius
- Rose, Rugosa - Rosa rugosa
- Roses - Rosa spp.
- Serviceberries - Amelanchier spp.
- Viburnums - Viburnum spp.
- Willows - Salix spp.
- Witchhazel, American - Hamamelis virginiana
Shrubs and Small Trees: High Chance of Deer Browse Damage
- Alders - Alnus spp.
- Apples, Crabapples - Malus spp.
- Blackberries - Rubus spp.
- Cherries - Prunus spp.
- Currants - Ribes spp.
- Gooseberries - Ribes spp.
- Maple, Mountain - Acer spicatum
- Plums - Prunus spp.
- Raspberries - Rubus spp.
- Yew, Canada - Taxus canadensis
References
- Resistance of Trees and Shrubs to Deer Damage: Jauron, Richard, 1997 [online]. Horticultural & Home Pest News.
- Plants Not Favored by Browsing Deer: Nixon, Phil and Kris R. Bachtell, February 2000. “” The Landsculptor Online Plant Encyclopedia [online].
- Preventing Deer Damage: Swift, C.E. and M.K. Gross, 2004.