Resistance of Seedlings and Nursery Stock to Deer Damage in Bucks Couny Pa.<br><p></p>
Damage to seedlings by deer will increase as it has over the past 20 years.We don't believe that there are any 100 per cent effective methods to stop deer damage except 10' high woven wire fences are that to costly for most small growers. Human populations moving to rural areas will continue. Loss of hunting land will increase as will deer populations. Deer having multiple births coupled with increasing gun regulation is likely to continue. There are few natural controls for deer populations. Opening your land to hunting is an effective practice for lowering deer populations. Since deer are nocturnal, hunting may not be totally effective as in in Bucks County. This means that you must have an integrated pest management plan. This plan should include the following: population management(hunting), repellents, selecting resistant plants, fencing, knowledge of deer habits for integrating your management plan in Bucks County. <br><p></p>
Deer Feeding Habits in Bucks County:<br><p></p>
Deer feeding in Bucks County will occur on fertilized and unfertilized plants. Most browsing of seedlings in Bucks County will occur at night. By planting less-preferred seedlings in unprotected areas and surrounding preferred seedlings by less-preferred seedlings, deer damage is lessened. Susceptible plants in Bucks County should be fenced or planted near occupied structures. Backyard dogs are effective in keeping deer away.Your knowledge of deer feeding habits should be your first line of defense. A plan based on this knowledge will provide seedlings growers with less expensive alternatives to dangerous chemicals repellents and hard to maintain fences and physical barriers.<br><p></p>
Deer are creatures of habit in Bucks County. Some deer in certain areas will eat holly and white pines, while deer in other areas won't. Therefore plant preference lists are only rough guides to deer damage susceptibility. In general browsing damage to seedlings in Bucks County will be highest when snow or extreme weather reduces food availability. Succulent young growth is an attractive deer attraction in the spring time. When food is in short supply deer will feed on less desire able plants. Always try and reduce deer herds. We once had a deer hunt where hunters paid 100 dollars each to a police gun fund for the control of deer on our nursery that is located next to Peace Valley Park in Bucks County. For weeks the control worked and deer damage was controlled. <br><p></p>
Seedlings and Liners We Recommend<br><p></p>
Boxwoods <br>
Red Osier Dogwood <br>
Russian Olive <br>
Rose of Sharon <br>
Hollies Leucothoe <br>
River Birch Trees Japanese Cedars <br>
Blue Spruce trees Austrian Pine <br>
Barberries <br>
Green Giant Arborvitae <br>
Andromeda<br><p></p>
You can see other articles by Bill Hirst at the following web site
http://www.seedlingsrus.com
