Arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis

Deer, Rabbits and other pests can be a huge problem in the garden in winter. I’ve heard news reports recently of homeowners having problems with deer and rabbits eating shrubs and causing lots of damage. Before we start with tips to help with the problem It’s important to know why deer and rabbits would even want to eat the bushes in the first place. Deer cause damage by ripping branches off trees, but especially evergreens. Arborvitae are especially liked by deer. Ever see those bushes near woods like with what appear to be puff balls on top of a stick? Those are likely arborvitae branches that have been eaten by deer as far as they can reach causing that effect. Deer can also cause damage to trunks of young trees when male deer rub their antlers against the trunk scraping off bark. Rabbits are a bit different in the damage they cause but it is also from feeding. Rabbits chew on bark of young trees and thin barked trees and removing it and cutting off the cambium and phloem layers lie with in 2 inches below the bark. These layers are critical for trees and shrubs survival. If bark is removed completely around the young tree or shrub will die back to the point of injury and will have to regrow new shoots. If they have damaged a blooming shrub you’ve probably lost flowers for that year. If it is a tree they’ve damaged the tree can survive but it will be set back a few years, and will have to go through pruning programs to correct it from co dominate leaders. Also watch out if a fruit tree has been damaged, sometimes fruit trees are grafted and if the injury occurs below the graft, you will be left with the root stock that fruit tree was grafted onto which is more then likely produces un wanted fruit quility.

Wichita Blue Juniper, Juniperus scopulorum ‘Wichita blue’

There are many products out there to repel deer and rabbits, and in many cases these do work, but you have to spray them on every time it rains, and also every few weeks to re new the scent. I think a product like this is great in the summer for a wanted plant, but for trees and shrubs it is difficult and timely. I believe there is only 3 real methods that will work to really protect trees and shrubs from injury. Complete Fencing off of the the tree or shrubs is a great full proof way to keep pests from munching on trees and shrubs, and it is especially easy for rabbits. I often just make a fence circle and that is enough. For deer it will require more extensive fencing and possibly electric fence. Another method to prevent damage from deer is pruning trees and shrubs in a way that takes off all small branches to the point that deer cannot reach it, of course this significantly alters the shape. My last an best way to keep pests from feeding is to not plant varities of shrubs that attack deer and rabbits! Plants like Apple trees and arborvitae attract these pests because they like to feed on them, but if a type of tree or shrub that is chosen that taste bad to deer, they will not be as attacked to it. Like instead of planting arborvitae plant Juniper pictured above, which looks great and is much less often invaded by pests.

Small greenspace located in Downtown Rochester January 16th

Today was a fairly nice day it was kinda partly sunny with some rain showers that turn to snow with highs in the 40s, 41.F here at my station, 40.F officially at the airport. I just had to post this photo because it is so rare to see grass in January and especially green grass for that matter. This space where the grass is well taken care of in the summer so summer watering likely kept it lush and green into the Winter months giving it that green appearance now.