Deer-resistant Landscape Trees

Choose deer-resistant native small trees for landscape success in areas with heavy populations of Virginia white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). They can provide attractive and charming focal points in massed plantings or as specimen trees.

Informal hedge rows (mixed borders of small trees, shrubs and large-size perennials) planted with a variety of deer-resistant native species frustrate the voracious appetites of white-tailed deer. They are also easier to maintain than homogenous clipped formal hedges.

Caution

No plant – tree, shrub or herbaceous ornamental – is deer-proof! Hungry deer will browse and even destroy plants recognized as deer-resistant when weather is severe or food sources are scarce.

Lists of native deer-resistant ornamental trees abound in print and on the Internet. Suggestions below result from the author’s experience and that of staff at Greenbrier Nurseries, Roanoke, VA.

Deer-resistant Ornamental Flowering Trees

1 – Amelanchier: Specimen tree or shrub, patio tree in large containers, naturalized in shrub borders or at woodland edges.

• Amelanchier arborea: Serviceberry, Juneberry, Shadbush, Service tree, Sarviceberry or Service-tree; often mistakenly confused and identified in plant nurseries as A. Canadensis, a species not commonly cultivated.

Introduced – about 1746; Native – ME to IA; Zones – 4 to 9.

• Amelanchier laevis: Alleghany serviceberry. A parent with A. arborea for A. x grandiflora, the hybrid ancestor of many important cultivars of Amelanchier.

Introduced – about 1870; Native – NF (Canada) to GA and AL, west to MI and KS; Zones – 4 to 8, possibly 9.

• Amelanchier x grandiflora: Apple serviceberry. Hybrid between A. arborea and A. lavis. Flowers are larger and inflorescences more impressive than those of either parent. Cultivars from this hybrid often listed simply under A. grandiflora.

Introduced – about 1870; Zones – 4 to 9.

2 – Cercis canadensis: Eastern redbud. Rosy-pink to purple flowers blossom on leafless branches from March to May depending on plant hardiness zone; followed by glossy green, bronze or reddish-purple leaves that may turn yellow in autumn. Noticeable and distinct flower and leaf color variations found throughout growing range. These variants are starting points for cultivars and varieties that are useful for almost any landscaping situation. Seed and plant source selection are essential for reliable cold-hardy specimens.

Introduced – about 1641; Native – NJ to north FL, west to MO, TX and northern Mexico; Zones – 4 (possibly) to 9.

3 – Hamamelis: Witchhazel; Native species and cultivars are useful in massed groupings, hedgerows, or naturalized in wooded areas. Does well in both moist and dry soils.

• Hamamelis vernalis: Vernal / Spring witchhazel. ‘Autumn Embers™’ and ‘Orange Sunrise™’ are two impressive cultivars from Song Sparrow Perennial Farm and Nursery.

Introduced – about 1908; Native – MO to LA and OK; Zones – 4 to 8, possibly the second hardiest witchhazel after H. virginiana.

• Hamamelis virginiana : Virginia / Common witchhazel. The hardiest native witchhazel found throughout its range in moist, shady areas along stream banks. Bark of young stems and roots yields a distillate used as Witchhazel extract.

Introduced – about 1736; Native – Canada to GA, west to NE and AR; Zones – 3b to 8, possibly 9.

More Information

• Deer-resistant Flowering Shrubs: Native North American Ornamental Shrubs of Landscape Importance.

©Text and photographs (unless noted otherwise) by Georgene A. Bramlage. 2008. Reproduction without permission prohibited.