Deer Damage
SEPTEMBER is RUBBING SEASON for DEER!
Deer damage begins in August and September. Now is the time to start preparing for deer damage to your shade trees. Trunk protection should be in place by the first part of August on all trees less than 10″ in diameter and certainly the newly planted trees in the 3-4” diameter range. Bucks rub their antlers along the trunks of trees to remove their velvet, establish their territories and prepare for the rut. They like the thin wooded, softer species but they will attack all trees and this will continue through a good part of the fall. The trunk protection should be on all winter and needs to be removed in April. If it is left on all summer, the trunk will get too soft and we find that there are a lot of insects that hide underneath that through the growing season. Be very careful about removing the trunk protection before the end of winter because there could be some freeze damage and sunburn on the southwest side of the tree. Many maples and other thin-barked ornamentals have had the entire bark stripped off and large sections of trunk ripped apart. One destructive rampage can leave trees irreparably damaged. So be prepared and protect those trees! A deer can destroy a shade tree in an overnight period.
Damage can also be observed on most of the plant material in your yards as the deer graze from yard to yard eating annuals, perennials, shrubs and garden produce they may come across. We found that the list of “deer resistant” plant material diminishes. So far, we’ve been safe with Green Giant arborvitaes and boxwoods. Now, they’re starting to nibble slightly on the Green Giants but not as freely as the yews, junipers, spruces and pines. Over the wintertime when their food sources are limited they will eat anything.
Deer fencing placed around a tree trunk can be effective as long as it is properly installed and secure. Also it should not hinder tree growth or damage the tree. There are several malodorous deterrent sprays which can be successful, but you must reapply often. Many times, simply spreading Milorganite over your groundcovers, perennials, and daylily beds is enough to keep the deer from munching. We have several different treatment options, so please call us if we can help with your deer issues!
We were very pleased with the service and particularly the knowledge & professionalism of your staff. We would certainly recommend you.
We are very pleased with the plantings suggested by and picked out by Mike. The men arrived on time to plant the boxwood and witch hazel tree; dug out the stump and cleaned up. They were pleasant and helpful – we couldn’t have asked for a better team.
We were very pleased and impressed with Dan and his team. We love our new trees and garden.
Thank you so much for all the information you provide – the watering information, the emails and the flier. I read it all and have learned so much. My magnolia trees look surprisingly healthy considering the way they looked when I first called.
Kevin Seger provided expert advice and recommendations about tree maintenance and removal. He listened to my needs and provided a thorough and affordable proposal. On the day of the job, I was very impressed with crew leader, Dave and his team (Felix & Adam). They were professional, efficient, hard-working and very neat about clean-up.
An outstanding job on the four trees and clean-up after the work and removal. We would be happy to recommend your services to everyone – the best tree service we ever have had here in St. Louis.
Kevin was able to come out the same day I called and a crew was out the next day! Great prompt service. I was not at home when the work was done but results show they did a fine job.
Everyone came through as usual when I needed the crew to come back & take out the balance of the fire blight. They did not have a bucket the first time and were so nice and professional about coming back again.
Thank you again for responding to our urgent need after the storm took down our 2 trees & deposited them across our driveway. Your crew, as always, did a fabulous job. Professional, courteous & it is a pleasure doing business with your company.
We appreciate your knowledge and professionalism. Your employees are prompt and courteous and willing to do whatever needs to be done to complete the project. Cleanup was great.
