Elm tree with deer damage - pruning saved tree

ralpharch · 8th October 2010, 05:48 AM

Derwood MD USA

I have a Dutch elm beetle resistant elm tree which has been deer damaged the previous two years - basically eaten to short stems. The second year this happened after I removed the netting in mid-season

This year I protected it again but did not remove the netting. The tree responded well and has grown quite a bit above the 7-foot tall netting, but now I have a wierd tree. All the branches are tied together up to the breakout point (about 7 limbs). There are two big limbs and rest are small and all come out near the base of tree.

Pruning question - should I prune to one limb next year? The two main limbs?

I would eventually like a shade tree but realize I must still protect the tree from the deer (uncontrolled population around here)

Thanks for any advice

ralpharch · 8th October 2010, 06:00 AM

picture of the tied together limbs

pcarborist · 8th October 2010, 11:23 AM

Try to avoid removing the lower branches they build trunk taper. It would be better to subordinate than to remove. I would keep the fencing on for another 3-4 yrs.

ralpharch · 9th October 2010, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcarborist

Try to avoid removing the lower branches they build trunk taper. It would be better to subordinate than to remove. I would keep the fencing on for another 3-4 yrs.

Thanks for advice. I guess I will leave the two main branches then - and perhaps the other smaller branch that comes out at the seven foot height. Kind of hard for me to see how the remaining small branches do much good. They need to stay tied together to avoid the deer and so a get a large clump of branches tied together from right above the ground to the breakout point, I don't know what subordinate means but I am leaning towards cutting them in the early spring

Eric Frei · 10th October 2010, 10:39 AM

Well, I'm thinking out loud....

These deer aren't like small things, like say rabbits that can get under a fence.

They're not like kangaroos that can jump over a fence.

So are your places not fenced for these deer to wander and eat trees?

James Sayers · 10th October 2010, 11:15 AM

you never seen bambi ,deers can jump

Eric Frei · 10th October 2010, 11:16 AM

Jump over regular fences when foraging?

dcarter · 10th October 2010, 07:21 PM

There may be pest repellant sprays available to treat the tree with. They generally are pretty harmless but have a very, very bitter flavor (I can attest to the bitterness after overspray got on my lips an mustache) to keep deer from eating the plant. A few years ago we had problems with deer eating newly installed plants in neighborhoods that have required landscape plantings and the residents all want to watch the deer in the evenings. We were losing hundreds of new plants, nothing but stems left on them. We used a product called "Bitrex". One application usually worked. Once the deer learn the tree tastes bad, they move on. Don't know if it's still available or available in Maryland, but it's worth a try if you want to let your branch back down. You could google search for "deer repellant for plants". Good Luck

Eric Frei · 27th October 2010, 10:22 PM

Well I'll be buggered, I have never seen a wild dear but they're here alright and the govt want to shoot them!

How to solve Queensland's feral deer problem - shoot them and eat them | Courier Mail

Quote:

October 27, 2010

FROM the burbs of Brisbane to the wilds of Barcaldine, Queensland it seems has a deer problem.

The Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin says the state has 30,000 deer which carry ticks, cause car accidents and damage grazing land.

He has invited Queenslanders to have their say on a new strategy to manage feral deer in 20 locations from Charters Towers in the north to the NSW border.

The answer is simple - shoot them and eat them.

Venison, of course, if the food of royalty with British monarchs like King Charles 1 and Henry VIII breeding their own red and fallow deer for table.

The State Government frequently culls deer and other animals including horses using specially trained marksmen with high-powered rifles.

Regrettable, the dead meat is left to rot on the ground. Oh deer, what a sinful waste.

It makes sense to me to let shooters take deer for meat, even from national parks.

I stress here I am not advocating "sports shooting" a term I abhor. For me it's all about collecting the meat.

Deer, pigs and other feral animals are causing the endangerment of many native species.

Mulherin said :"Feral deer posed a serious threat to Queensland's primary producers causing extensive damage to grazing land.

"They also damage the environment, pose a disease threat to livestock.

"Hot spot areas include the western suburbs of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, the Southern Downs area, the Charters Towers area and in the Barcaldine and Isaac regional council areas," he said.

He said management options included shooting, trapping and fencing.

Alas, there was no mention of eating.

A list of feral deer species:

Chital (Indian spotted deer) - Released near Charter Towers 1886. Found around Charters Towers, Townsville, in the Gulf and near Texas on the Southern border. There are an estimated 10,000 chital around Charters Towers and about 2000 on Rita Island at the mouth of the Burdekin River. There are hundreds in the other locations.

Rusa - Released on Friday Island in the Torres Strait in 1912. There are about 500 animals on the Torres Strait islands including the Prince of Wales Island which supports the major population. In recent years, translocation of Rusa deer has led to populations around Townsville, Rockhampton, Stanthorpe and Charters Towers. These populations number from 100-500.

Red deer - Released in 1873 and 1874 by the Queensland Acclimatisation Society. Original animals were a gift from Queen Victoria to provide ".additional food and sport". Concentrated around the upper reaches of the Brisbane River valley and into the headwaters of the Mary and Burnett rivers. There are about 10,000 - 15,000 Red deer in this area of SE Qld. Small populations exist near Rockhampton and in the Roma-Injune-Mitchell area.

Fallow deer - Released at Westbrook and Warwick on the Darling Downs between 1870 and 1872. Found south-west of Warwick on the Darling Downs and thought to number around 2800. Smaller populations in other areas of southern Queensland have also been identified.

Garry Brockley · 28th October 2010, 07:03 AM

Wife get me my gun i'm off shootin deer.
mmmmmm venison

8th October 2010, 05:48 AM	#1
ralpharch I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Derwood MD Posts: 3	Elm tree with deer damage - pruning saved tree Derwood MD USA I have a Dutch elm beetle resistant elm tree which has been deer damaged the previous two years - basically eaten to short stems. The second year this happened after I removed the netting in mid-season This year I protected it again but did not remove the netting. The tree responded well and has grown quite a bit above the 7-foot tall netting, but now I have a wierd tree. All the branches are tied together up to the breakout point (about 7 limbs). There are two big limbs and rest are small and all come out near the base of tree. Pruning question - should I prune to one limb next year? The two main limbs? I would eventually like a shade tree but realize I must still protect the tree from the deer (uncontrolled population around here) Thanks for any advice Attached Thumbnails

8th October 2010, 06:00 AM	#2
ralpharch I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Derwood MD Posts: 3	Re: Elm tree with deer damage - pruning saved tree picture of the tied together limbs Attached Thumbnails

8th October 2010, 11:23 AM	#3
pcarborist Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: PC Posts: 176	Re: Elm tree with deer damage - pruning saved tree Try to avoid removing the lower branches they build trunk taper. It would be better to subordinate than to remove. I would keep the fencing on for another 3-4 yrs. __________________ parkcityarborist

10th October 2010, 10:39 AM	#5
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,991	Re: Elm tree with deer damage - pruning saved tree Well, I'm thinking out loud.... These deer aren't like small things, like say rabbits that can get under a fence. They're not like kangaroos that can jump over a fence. So are your places not fenced for these deer to wander and eat trees? __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

10th October 2010, 11:15 AM	#6
James Sayers Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: brisbane Posts: 84	Re: Elm tree with deer damage - pruning saved tree you never seen bambi ,deers can jump

10th October 2010, 11:16 AM	#7
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,991	Re: Elm tree with deer damage - pruning saved tree Jump over regular fences when foraging? __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

10th October 2010, 07:21 PM	#8
dcarter Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 77	Re: Elm tree with deer damage - pruning saved tree There may be pest repellant sprays available to treat the tree with. They generally are pretty harmless but have a very, very bitter flavor (I can attest to the bitterness after overspray got on my lips an mustache) to keep deer from eating the plant. A few years ago we had problems with deer eating newly installed plants in neighborhoods that have required landscape plantings and the residents all want to watch the deer in the evenings. We were losing hundreds of new plants, nothing but stems left on them. We used a product called "Bitrex". One application usually worked. Once the deer learn the tree tastes bad, they move on. Don't know if it's still available or available in Maryland, but it's worth a try if you want to let your branch back down. You could google search for "deer repellant for plants". Good Luck

28th October 2010, 07:03 AM	#10
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,641	Re: Elm tree with deer damage - pruning saved tree Wife get me my gun i'm off shootin deer. mmmmmm venison __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

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