How can I protect aspen trees from deer eating the bark?
As with your garden, you must consider totally excluding deer from accessing your aspen trees. The most vulnerable time for your trees is October – November when rutting bucks are looking for trees on which to take out their aggressions. You need to build a sturdy, cylindrical cage around the trunk of your aspen trees. Woven wire fencing will be most effective. If possible wire 5 – 6 feet up the trunk. Leave 2 -3 feet between the wire and the trunk of the tree. Make sure you use plenty of T-posts to fortify the fencing. Imagine an angry 200+ pound deer that wants to get at your tree trunk and build this fence accordingly. The tougher you can make it, the better! These fences do not have to be in place year round, so while they might be a little unsightly for a couple months; it is a better alternative than a dead tree that has to be replaced annually!
