I planted over 1000 sawtooth,bur oak and walnut and I had to put tubes on them because the deer will rub them down.Don't forget if planting on converted farm ground check to see if there are programs through the NRCS that will pay for project.I have riparian buffer and CP-33 grass buffer and wetland buffer all on mine and it is in the 3rd year and really coming on

I planted 20 new sawtooths this spring.Everyone is gone,dug up and eaten.I have 5 mature trees and another 20 I planted last year.They also ate 10 white oaks.

I run into this problem from time to time. I can plant a tree next to one that was planted last year and something will either dig up the new tree or eat it. I believe that it's the salt in the fertilizer that they've used at the nursery. A few years back I had a running battle with a skunk. I planted the tree, he dug it up, I replanted the tree, he dug it up. He finally won when the tree died.

I really don't have an answer. Salt blocks may look after their appetite until the treesstart growing.
Dan O.