Never thought I would ask this.....but
 

How do you keep deer away? (Without shooting more does, I've done that)

My problem is, I'm planting a small 1 acre orchard. (Apple, Persimmon, and Cherry Trees with some Blackberry bushes) All the trees are bought from the state and are about 24" tall when planted. I have read that deer can really damage and kill these young trees, especially the 1st year. How do I keep them away? Fence around the whole thing is a last resort, don't want to put the money in it, and I'm planting 130 of these trees, that is alot of individual cages, which is another last resort. I've thought of putting up a scarecrow with alot of old smelly laundry on it, but that will probably only work for a couple weeks, any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

RE: Never thought I would ask this.....but
 

What about that plot saver stuff. They say it works, I dont know if it really does cause I have never used it before.

RE: Never thought I would ask this.....but
 

Up in VT where they were doing some habitat rennovation they planted some fruit trees inside of PVC piping about 4 to 6 feet high (I imagine it depended upon the size of the sapling). Supposedly it encourages the trees to grow higher faster and protects them until they've been established.

Then I suppose you could surround them with small fences to protect the bark from rubs.

RE: Never thought I would ask this.....but
 

Well I used to work at an orchard and it is true that they can harm your trees pretty badly.What they did was put mesh wire about three or four feet high.Just a suggestion.

RE: Never thought I would ask this.....but
 

Thanks! great suggestions, keep them coming! I'll probably try a little of each.

RE: Never thought I would ask this.....but
 

I've also heard that human hair from all your local salons will help as well....it takes some effort but hey, if it works....

RE: Never thought I would ask this.....but
 

I can only tell you how to keep them away during season and during legal shooting hours;). You can try everything else but you will inevitably come back to individual cages or fencing the entire area. Nothing else will work except my previous statement IMHO

RE: Never thought I would ask this.....but
 

That was the first thing I though of as well.

RE: Never thought I would ask this.....but
 

I found that the black plastic corrigated drain pipes put around saplings will discourage bucks from rubbing their antlers but haven't found anything besides fencing to prevent browsing, except maybe, alternate food sources, but then you're attracting the deer to the area increasing your chance of browse. Chain a dog in the middle?

RE: Never thought I would ask this.....but
 

Checked the Plot Saver out, looks to really work, don't see how, but the results and testimonials say it does! Has anyone tried it? Looks like a kit cost me $50 and that lasts 100 days, then I have to resfresh it with a $20 container every 100 days there after. Do you guys think the Deer will actually eat the apple trees down to the ground? We have tons of Corn and Soybean fields around, not to mention plenty of other vegetation.