farm hunter

Apples are really hard to beat, for both browse and mast in later years, they grow slow though. I'm looking into some of the same ideas. The deer in our area really key in on maple saplings after logging. Also you might consider planting a few pines in the areas where you expect the deer to bed as the logged tops break down. In my area, we have a few white pines mixed in our young growth as stand alone trees, or in groups of three or four. Its like the deer recogize them as "islands" in the new growth and gravitate to them when they bed (not for a food source). They usually grow faster - and in 15-20 years, provide excellent treestands.

Someone mentioned Blueberries - I know they grow well in acidic soils (like mine) - but I've never heard that deer like to browse on them - anyone heard this?

NattyBumpo

The small islands of brush is what I'm after, and the added bonus of food. The front of my place has some red stemmed brush that grows a bluish berry, the deer seem to like it but I don't.
I can name most of the trees in my area, but I'm not to good with the brush and vegetation. Finding out what these are will be my project for this year, along with the planting.
Ten years ago I had the local Forest Ranger out to my place, maybe it's time for another visit.

farm hunter

I've got that same brush with the bluish berrys, (don't know the name either) as well as snowberries (I think - their white) Grouse really like them too. I'm going to try to move some of them to reclaimed areas in our project - good luck in yours as well.

stealthycat

I am liking persimmon trees more and more. I am luck and have them on my place already, and will start fertilizing them this year. Deer love them, heck I even like them a little bit. Don't know how well they grow in NY though ...

Dan O.

I've got them in Ontario, near Niagara Falls. The only problem is that some hang on the trees and don't ripen until almost winter.

Dan O.

3D4PSE

Have you guys heard of American Plums and what do you think of planting Honey Locusts as well as honeysuckle in the dry ground of NW Oklahoma? Thanks!

farm hunter

Plums can be tough to grow - and are very get diseased fairly easily. Other fruit trees like apples, pears or some of the berry producers would likely be better.

I've heard the pods that honey locust make are like a desert for deer and they seek them out, I have no experience with them though.

farm hunter

Plums can be tough to grow - and are very get diseased fairly easily. Other fruit trees like apples, pears or some of the berry producers would likely be better.

I've heard the pods that honey locust make are like a desert for deer and they seek them out, I have no experience with them though.

stealthycat

" The only problem is that some hang on the trees and don't ripen until almost winter."

Thats not a problem - thats the beauty of them. In the fall, a deer eats acorns mostly. In the winter months though, after the acorns are gone, those persimmons will remain and the deer will thank you for them.

My QDM project is going to include honeysuckle for sure. Deer browse on it a lot during the winter months I think. That study I read also suggested dogwoods are a good browse - so I am looking into a dogwood bush if they are out there ....

remingtonman

I too like persimmons esspecially in the fall and early winter. If there are deer in the area they will know where the persimmon trees are and all the rest of the fruit trees.
The only thing with persimmon, apple or pear is that the do not provide cover like NattyBumpo needed. For those who do not need cover the fruit trees are great.
Having a foresty person come to you property is a good idea. They will be able to make better sugggestions knowing your area of the state and what grows native to your area.