Deer Resistant Pines

If you are looking for deer-resistant trees or bushes to add to your landscape, pine trees might be the answer. While no trees are truly "deer-proof," pine trees are seldom damaged by deer. You can also choose among among a wide range of pines that grow to various shapes and sizes.

Characteristics

• Deer will eat almost anything when they are starving, but they tend to avoid plants that have unfavorable characteristics. Deer generally do not eat plants that have prickly foliage, pungent odors and strong tastes or produce thick sap. Most pine trees have all these characteristics, making them far from the ideal food for deer.

Types

• Limber pine (Pinus flexilis) is a medium pine tree that reaches 30 to 50 feet and is generally deer resistant. Austrian pine (Pinus nigra) is somewhat larger, growing to 60 feet and is also rarely eaten by deer. If you are looking for something smaller, try Mugo pine (Pinus mugo), a small, shrubby deer-resistant pine that only reaches about 6 feet tall.

Considerations

• Most pine trees grow best in moist but well-drained soil with full or partial sunlight, but ideal growing conditions can be highly variable depending on the variety you choose. Consult a USDA hardiness zone map to help you decide which pine trees are best-suited for your area.