Experts Advise Protecting Young Trees from Deer Damage Ahead of Winter
by: D.K. Wright
Posted: Oct 22, 2025 / 05:35 PM EDT
Updated: Oct 22, 2025 / 05:35 PM EDT
Ohio County Calls for Urgent Tree Protection
OHIO COUNTY, W.Va. — As autumn progresses, landowners are being urged to safeguard their young trees from damage caused by deer before winter arrives.
Contrary to common assumptions, the threat is not from deer feeding on the bark but from their antler rubbing behavior.
Expert Insight on Deer Behavior
Karen Cox, Extension Agent for Ohio County, explains that male deer, or bucks, rub their antlers against tree trunks to remove the velvet—a soft, vascular skin that covers antlers during growth and is shed as the antlers harden in autumn.
This rubbing is especially focused on small, newly planted trees, which can suffer bark stripping or girdling, significantly harming or even killing the tree.
Timing and Protective Measures
Cox emphasized the importance of beginning protective efforts as early as September or October, noting that if wrapping has yet to be done, it should be completed promptly to prevent ongoing damage.
She recommends using commercial plastic tree tubes or spiral wraps designed to withstand deer rubbing, cautioning against materials like burlap or paper, which lack durability against such pressure.
- Keep protective wraps on throughout the winter season.
- Remove the wraps in March to allow trees to resume healthy growth.
- Alternatively, leave a shortened wrap around the base to shield against mechanical injuries from weed-eaters, another common cause of damage.
Biological Context of Deer Antler Rubbing
Antler rubbing is a natural behavior linked to the deer’s reproductive cycle, serving both to remove velvet and to mark territory through scent glands located on their foreheads.
During this pre-rut period, bucks intensify rubbing to strengthen neck muscles and communicate dominance, often leading to extensive damage in forested or residential areas where young trees are vulnerable.
Wildlife Management Implications
Understanding this seasonal behavior is vital for property owners and conservationists in managing deer impacts and maintaining healthy tree growth.
Protecting saplings not only preserves property aesthetics but also supports local ecosystems by ensuring tree survival and forest regeneration.
Additional reporting and sources from: Experts warn: Protect young trees from deer damage before winter
