7 Deer-Resistant Flowering Trees for Fall Planting

Deer browse tender young trees and strip bark; mature trees get their leaves yanked down. Few flowering trees escape their attention, but these seven are your best bets for a deer-resistant spring show.

1. Fringetree (Chionanthus spp.)

Dainty, fringed flowers appear in early spring as leaves unfurl. Shade-tolerant, often used as an understory specimen lighting up shade gardens. Chinese fringetree (C. retusus) is especially deer-resistant; native white fringetree (C. virginicus) is also a good choice.

Zones: 5–9 (hardy to –20°F)
Light: Shade to full sun
Water: High
Size: 15–20 ft tall and wide

2. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)

Popular in warm climates for smooth, exfoliating bark and long-lasting, paper-textured summer flowers in pink, purple, white. Tough, sun-loving, unpalatable to deer. Sizes range from 18-inch dwarfs to 40-ft giants.

Zones: 7–9 (hardy to 0°F)
Light: Full sun
Water: Moderate
Size: Varies by cultivar

3. Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia × soulangeana)

Pink-blushed, teacup-sized flowers on bare gray branches in late winter. Surprisingly deer-resistant. Plant in full sun with fertile soil. Slow-growing to 20–25 ft; related varieties like 'Ann' stay under 10 ft. Most magnolias resist deer — consider star, southern, or other magnolias (some hardy to Zone 3).

Zones: 5–9 (hardy to –20°F)
Light: Full sun
Water: Moderate; prefers moist, fertile soil
Size: 20–25 ft tall

4. Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)

Native across North America; white spring flowers, delicious blueberry-like fruit. Many species, all deer-resistant. Extremely cold-hardy: Saskatoon (A. alnifolia) grows in Zone 2 to 10. Most reach 15–20 ft; downy serviceberry (A. arborea) to 40 ft.

Zones: 2–9 (hardy to –50°F, species-dependent)
Light/Water/Size: Varies by species

5. Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles spp.)

Grown for spring flowers (pink, red, white), not fruit. True dwarf, rarely over 6 ft. 'Pink Storm' variety shown.

Zones: 5–9 (hardy to –20°F)
Light: Full sun
Water: Moderate to regular
Size: 6 ft tall and wide

6. Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)

Tough, adaptable trees for wet or dry sites. White flowers tinged pink; small, bitter, crabapple-like fruit. Related to apples. Sizes 15–30 ft. Cold-hardy to Zone 3; some to Zone 9. 'Winter King' (Zones 4–7) shown.

Zones: Varies by species
Light: Full sun
Water: Moderate
Size: 15–30 ft tall and wide

7. Chinese Dogwood (Cornus kousa)

Covered in white spring flowers; ornate shape; 1-inch red edible (but bland) berries in summer.

Zones: 5–8 (hardy to –20°F)
Light: Full sun or part shade
Water: Consistent moisture
Size: 20 ft tall, 15 ft wide

Do you have flowering trees that deer ignore? Tell us in the Comments.