Protecting Green Giant Arborvitae from Deer Antler Rubbing

Preventing Buck Rub Damage on New Arborvitae

Fourteen 6–8 foot 'Green Giant' arborvitae were planted; last year, deer destroyed similar trees by rubbing antlers in fall.

Effective Physical Barriers

• Plastic tree guards / corrugated drain pipe: Wrap trunks from ground to 4–5 feet in late summer (August) before rut begins.
• Hardware cloth cylinders: 18–24 inch diameter, staked, allow air flow.
• Remove in early spring to prevent moisture buildup and girdling.

Repellents (Supplemental)

• Egg-based (e.g., Deer Away), capsaicin, or putrescent egg solids.
• Reapply after rain; rotate products to avoid habituation.
• Effectiveness drops with high deer density.

Resource

University of Missouri Guide: Controlling Deer Damage

Key Timing

Install guards by September 1. Bucks begin velvet shedding and rubbing in early fall. Once bark is stripped, the tree cannot repair that section.