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Do deer eat red twig dogwood bushes?
Yes, deer do eat red twig dogwood bushes, and they can cause significant damage to these beautiful shrubs.
While red twig dogwood isn’t the very first plant deer go for, it’s certainly on their menu, especially when food is scarce.
If you’ve been noticing chewed branches or stripped bark on your red twig dogwood bushes, deer are likely the culprits.
In this post, we’ll explore why deer eat red twig dogwood, how to spot the damage, and what you can do to protect your red twig dogwood bushes from these hungry visitors.
Let’s dig in and help you keep your shrubs looking their best.
Why Deer Eat Red Twig Dogwood Bushes
Deer eat red twig dogwood bushes for a few simple reasons that come down to survival and opportunity.
Understanding these reasons can help you anticipate when deer might eat red twig dogwood in your own yard.
Here’s why your red twig dogwood bushes are so appealing to deer.
1. Red Twig Dogwood Is Not Highly Toxic
The first thing to know is that red twig dogwood bushes are not toxic to deer.
Unlike some ornamental plants that deer instinctively avoid due to poisonous compounds, red twig dogwood is safe to browse.
This means deer can eat red twig dogwood without any ill effects, making it a viable food source when they come across it.
While the taste isn’t their favorite, it won’t hurt them, so they’ll gladly take a bite when hungry.
2. Deer Eat Red Twig Dogwood in Winter
Winter is when deer eat red twig dogwood bushes most aggressively.
With snow covering the ground and other food sources buried, deer turn to woody shrubs for survival.
The bright red stems of red twig dogwood are easy to spot against the white snow, which makes them an easy target.
During harsh winters, deer may eat red twig dogwood bark, buds, and even the twigs themselves.
This is prime time for deer damage to your red twig dogwood bushes.
3. Deer Browsing Habits Bring Them to Your Shrubs
Deer eat red twig dogwood bushes when their preferred foods run out, but they’re also creatures of habit.
Once deer find your red twig dogwood bushes, they’ll remember that spot and return again and again.
They tend to browse in the early morning and late evening, so you might not even see them while they’re causing the damage.
By morning, you’ll just notice the chewed stems and wonder what happened overnight.
That’s the frustrating part of dealing with deer and red twig dogwood bushes.
Signs That Deer Are Eating Your Red Twig Dogwood Bushes
If you suspect deer are the problem, you need to look for specific signs that deer eat red twig dogwood in your landscape.
The damage from deer looks different from other pests, so it’s worth knowing what to check.
Here are the telltale signs that deer are munching on your red twig dogwood bushes.
1. Ragged and Torn Branches
When deer eat red twig dogwood, they don’t make clean cuts like you’d see with pruners.
Instead, they tear and rip the branches, leaving behind a frayed and ragged edge.
This happens because deer lack upper incisors, so they have to yank and twist to pull the branches off.
If you see jagged, torn ends on your red twig dogwood bushes, deer are definitely the ones to blame.
Rabbits, on the other hand, make clean, angled cuts, so keep that distinction in mind.
2. Stripped Bark on the Lower Trunk
Deer may also eat red twig dogwood bark, especially on the lower portion of the main stems.
This is called bark stripping, and it happens when deer rub their antlers or gnaw on the bark during feeding.
When the bark is removed, you’ll see the pale wood underneath, and the damaged areas may look white or yellowish.
Severe bark stripping can girdle the stem and eventually kill that branch.
So if you notice this on your red twig dogwood bushes, you have an active deer problem.
3. Deer Tracks and Droppings Nearby
Another obvious clue that deer eat red twig dogwood bushes is finding physical evidence near the plants.
Look for deer tracks, which are heart-shaped, and small piles of droppings around your red twig dogwood bushes.
If you find these signs along with damaged branches, there’s no doubt deer are your visitors.
The more deer traffic you see, the more likely they’ll continue to eat red twig dogwood bushes in your garden.
How to Protect Red Twig Dogwood Bushes From Deer
The good news is you can prevent deer from eating your red twig dogwood bushes with a few proven strategies.
No single method works perfectly everywhere, so you may need to combine a couple of approaches.
Here’s how to keep deer from destroying your red twig dogwood bushes.
1. Use Physical Barriers Like Fencing
The most reliable way to stop deer from eating red twig dogwood bushes is to put up a fence around them.
Deer eat red twig dogwood less when they can’t physically reach the plant, so a tall fence is your best defense.
Use a fence that’s at least 8 feet tall, as deer can easily jump over shorter ones.
If you have just a few red twig dogwood bushes, a simple wire cage around each one will also do the trick.
Make sure the barrier is installed before winter, when deer are most likely to eat red twig dogwood bushes.
2. Apply Deer Repellent Sprays
Another effective option is to spray your red twig dogwood bushes with a commercial deer repellent.
These sprays smell bad to deer and make the leaves and stems taste unpleasant.
If deer eat red twig dogwood that’s been sprayed, they’ll quickly learn to avoid it in the future.
You’ll need to reapply the spray after heavy rain or when new growth appears.
A good rule of thumb is to treat your red twig dogwood bushes every few weeks during peak deer season.
3. Plant Deer-Resistant Companions Nearby
You can also distract deer by planting things they dislike right next to your red twig dogwood bushes.
Deer tend to avoid strongly scented plants like lavender, sage, or Russian sage.
While these won’t completely stop deer from eating red twig dogwood, they can help mask the scent of the shrubs.
Deer rely heavily on their sense of smell, so confusing them is a useful trick.
This won’t guarantee protection, but it can reduce the chances that deer eat red twig dogwood in that area.
So, Do Deer Eat Red Twig Dogwood Bushes?
Yes, deer do eat red twig dogwood bushes, and the damage can be severe if you don’t take action.
Deer eat red twig dogwood most often in winter, but they’ll browse on them any time food is limited.
You can identify their handiwork by looking for ragged branches, stripped bark, and nearby tracks.
And the best way to keep deer from eating red twig dogwood bushes is to use fencing, repellents, and companion planting.
So if you love the bright red stems of red twig dogwood, you’ll need to stay proactive about deer control.
With the right precautions, you can enjoy your red twig dogwood bushes without worrying about deer nibbling them down to nothing.
Keep an eye on your shrubs, and remember that deer eat red twig dogwood every chance they get.
Now you know exactly what to do about it, so get out there and protect those beautiful bushes today.