What stripped every last pine needle?

This time of year in the northern hemisphere, deer will literally eat anything. I was quite surprised to realize, when I moved to high deer population SE Michigan, that I've got to protect every landscape tree in my yard except boxwood and juniper.
In the passed I have found that the wildlife tend to eat the more tinder growth on the various non native plants. I thought it was just because it is new to them and they want to try it. Sometimes a select few natives (maple twigs and such) but not many. That's why I was so confused that they ate the virginia pine, you would think they wouldn't be interested in it because they are everywhere.
 
Good Eye to Gregg for noticing the deer tracks
Fortunately Ive never had deer bother my trees. I think we still have enough woods here that they dont need to come into my yard.
My trees are behind a 6 foot fence and there is a boat in the way so they just cant jump the fence from the outside, they would crash into the boat.
Plus the cold frame is covered when its really cold

The only way to keep the deer away is to spray as others suggested or put something around them to keep the deer away
 
“I see all kinds of young pine saplings growing naturally that they don't touch”

You have discerning deer that prefer eating out of a dish rather than something just on the ground.
 
Sounds like a hog, they eat palmettos around here anyways.
I'd be surprised if there were hogs here. I live in a suburban neighborhood. Been here 25 years and have not seen one. There isn't a lot of room for hogs but the neighborhood is perfect for the dozen or so deer that roam the woods between the streets.
 
Nice observation.

Okay, we know the cause, what's the best way to protect against death by deer?
Deer fence 8' high. They'll jump over anything shorter than that... Ask me how I know 😳. Also, at least here, deer spray is like a condiment.
 
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In the passed I have found that the wildlife tend to eat the more tinder growth on the various non native plants. I thought it was just because it is new to them and they want to try it. Sometimes a select few natives (maple twigs and such) but not many. That's why I was so confused that they ate the virginia pine, you would think they wouldn't be interested in it because they are everywhere.
I'll bet they've probably browsed a lot of V. pine near you by now. The last few winters have been mild and the deer population is quite high near me. This winter has been quite cold/harsh so they're eating whatever they can now.
 
Does it work? Hows it smell? Ive got a group of 5 regulars
It works for me... at least so far. I don't know if they were truly strarving whether it would work, but since we have a relatively large lot, I think they just stay away from the odor and munch on something else. Deer aren't very smart and it's kinda like having a bunch of wild cows on your property. They are strongly habitual and what I put down to "stubbornness" is probably just stupidity.

To me it doesn't smell bad - it smells malty or musty. Some people say it is supposed to smell like carnivore urine, but let me guarantee you it doesn't smell like dog pee!
 
I kinda like this idea. I like seeing and having them around but they gotta leave my tree's alone. Lol
I don't have issues with them eating my plants. I have issues with the bucks killing trees because they rub the bark off. I've lost a Chinese quince and Monterrey cypress that were in ground grow-out plots - the bucks simply scraped all the bark off the trees.
 
...and all this time, I thought moss was for covering the substrate for shows and to prevent moisture loss. Never realized it could provide food for a family for a month. 😅

Actually, I should give credit where credit is due. This little bitch is good at her job.

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I have a video of her herding deer, but I can't post a video here, and the screenshot is a bit blurry.

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Actually, I should give credit where credit is due. This little bitch is good at her job.
I have a video of her herding deer, but I can't post a video here, and the screenshot is a bit blurry.
Belgian Malinois? She's PUURRRRTY! Nice pup!
 
Actually, I should give credit where credit is due. This little bitch is good at her job.

View attachment 581533

I have a video of her herding deer, but I can't post a video here, and the screenshot is a bit blurry.

View attachment 581534
You are just lucky and have deer who aren't very determined. The herd in my neighborhood (where we have a bit of woods due to being on a ridge) will graze undaunted on the other side of my 6' fence while my Belgian Malinois pack goes nuclear on the other side. They also stand on porches and look in the Windows, besides strolling around on the streets with cars passing.
 
You are just lucky and have deer who aren't very determined. The herd in my neighborhood (where we have a bit of woods due to being on a ridge) will graze undaunted on the other side of my 6' fence while my Belgian Malinois pack goes nuclear on the other side. They also stand on porches and look in the Windows, besides strolling around on the streets with cars passing.

Might be the difference between the deer knowing the dogs are on the other side of the fence and cant get at them whereas Gabler's dog can chase them
 
Might be the difference between the deer knowing the dogs are on the other side of the fence and cant get at them whereas Gabler's dog can chase them

I think it's also a rural vs. suburban thing. Suburban deer have no option but to get close to humans, and they get desensitized.
 
I think it's also a rural vs. suburban thing. Suburban deer have no option but to get close to humans, and they get desensitized.
We live right next door to an 1800 acre state park. The deer come to our area because they like to eat the grass and the tasty landscape. If you look at the state park woods at this time of year it is almost completely barren. Leafless trees, some hollies and pines, and dead grass.
 
I think it's also a rural vs. suburban thing. Suburban deer have no option but to get close to humans, and they get desensitized.
It's not just deer. Last winter a pair of beautiful red foxes appeared in my yard and spent the summer scouting my neighbors' chicken coop. Eventually the chickens were killed in a raid, but the foxes hung around to raise two kits. All four roamed the neighborhood casually like the deer until the young foxes were grown.

My old established neighborhood has a lot of small wooded areas due to the topography.
 
Ace Hardware. This is very good stuff. I have used it for 3 years and it will last around 4-6 months. Works better than anything else I have used. 6 per package in shielded container with wire to hang.
 
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