I have a small plot of land in western NY and was thinking about planting some crabapples. How much effect do crabapples have on a deer population?There are some other apple trees around so it wouldn't be a whole new food source for them. There are some good oak trees in the area, and alot of cherry and ash trees.I can get 100 Toringo Crabapples from the state for $30. Is there something else that would be better worth my timeto plant? I am looking for something that will produce food in a small amount of time. Any input would be great.

From what I have seen in the past deer love crab apples.So do turkey and grouse.

everyone on here seems to like having crabapples around. from personal experience around where i hunt, the deer tend to hole up in the crabaplle patches and hide during gun season. when they shoot a deer out of there their gut piles reveal a bunch of whole crabapples. they also love to mke huge scrapes underneath them caue their branches hang low

DH, I have about 15 wild apples trees on my property and deer are always there. (11 in one area, 3 in another and 1 big mammoth one.) I took my first deerduring bow season at the big one.

I'm planting 12 more apples trees this spring with 12 pear trees as well. Truth be told, the pears are really for me, but read that deer will eat them also.

So go for it, plant them and the deer will come. Have fun!

I also have been planting apple trees. They are just starting to produce well six years. Pears seem to be the best ,they don't require pruning like apples do.

I know you are asking about crab apples but I think you can do better.

DH who and were are you getting your trees from, i'm in buffalo. Thanks Rich

Rich, The trees are being sold by the state. They are grown at Saratoga nursery. The prices are really good but most come in large packages of 100. Here is the site that shows the species available and all the ordering shipping and planting info.

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dlf/privland/nursery/treeshrub.html

dhhunting, do you have to be a resident of new york to buy from there or no? i live in PA.

does anyone have any idea which species of crabapple is more preferable to whitetails? theres so many species to choose from. my opinion is they like the species with the bigger green apples opposed to the smaller red ones. what kind does everyone have and how hard do the deer hit them?

I'm only familiar with the small red ones , and the deer love them .

You can get many conservation trees from your local Soil & Water Conservation District (NY). we sell them in quantities of 10. we have many species in our order (Broome Co.), but selection varies between counties.

you don't need to be a resident on NY to buy any of the trees.