Protecting arborvitae from deer requires a three-tiered strategy: odor-based repellents applied every 4-8 weeks, physical barriers at least 5 feet tall, and choosing deer-resistant varieties or alternative shrubs.
The damage peaks between Christmas and early spring, when natural food is scarce and deer turn to your landscaping as a food source. The good news: a practical, rotating defense system stops them without turning your yard into a fortress.
Why Deer Target Arborvitae in Winter
Arborvitae holds its green foliage all winter, making it one of the few available food sources when snow covers the ground. Deer browse on the tender branch tips, and if they return night after night, the plant can lose its shape entirely.
Method 1: Scent and Taste Repellents
Repellents work by making the plant smell or taste unappealing, and they are the most practical first-line method for most homeowners. The key is rotating active ingredients so deer don’t habituate to one scent.
What to Look for in a Spray
Effective commercial repellents contain eggs, garlic, capsaicin, or dried blood as their active ingredients. Products like Bobbex, Liquid Fence, and Plantskydd all meet this standard.
Application Schedule That Works
- Frequency: Apply every 4 to 8 weeks during fall and winter. Reapply immediately after rain or snow.
- Monthly routine: Commercial products like Deer Off last roughly one month on foliage, meaning monthly treatments are the minimum for consistent protection.
- Temperature limit: Repellents often fail in freezing or frosty conditions. If a deep freeze is forecast, switch to physical barriers.
DIY Recipe (When You Want to Save Money)
Shake well and spray until the foliage drips.
If you are comparing spray options before buying, our tested deer repellent recommendations for arborvitae ranks the most effective formulas for winter use.
Method 2: Physical Barriers
Barriers are the only method that works regardless of temperature, deer hunger level, or scent fatigue. They require an upfront effort but save months of reapplication.
Netting and Burlap
- Netting height: Must be 5 to 6 feet tall and secured to the ground. Choose black plastic netting with 3/4-inch mesh — it is highly effective and nearly invisible from a distance.
- Burlap warning: Do not tightly wrap individual plants. This traps ice and moisture against the stem, causing rot and disease. Instead, build a freestanding barrier on the south, southwest, and windward sides, leaving the top open for air circulation.
Fencing
Welded wire or steel fencing is the most durable option. Plastic fencing tends to snap in cold climates and accumulates leaves and debris that weigh it down. For areas with high deer activity, the fence must be 7 to 8 feet tall to prevent jumping. Black welded wire is the preferred material for longevity and appearance.
Wrapping Technique for Individual Trees
Remove the wrap in spring so the plant can breathe and receive sunlight.
Comparison of Protection Methods
The table below summarizes the key trade-offs between the three main approaches.
| Method | Best For | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Scent/taste repellents | Low-damage areas, small shrubs | Fails in freezing temps; requires monthly reapplication |
| Netting / burlap barrier | Individual shrubs, temporary protection | Burlap traps moisture if wrapped too tight |
| Welded wire fencing | High-deer areas, permanent solution | Must be 7-8 feet tall; higher upfront cost |
| Motion-activated sprinklers | Warm months only | Useless below freezing |
| DIY repellent sprays | Budget-friendly, small yards | Shorter effectiveness; requires fresh mixing |
| Commercial repellent sprays | Large plantings, convenience | Higher cost; deer may habituate to one scent |
| Plant substitution | New plantings, full redesign | Does not protect existing arborvitae |
Method 3: Choose Deer-Resistant Arborvitae or Alternatives
If you are planting new arborvitae, some varieties are genuinely less attractive to deer. Western arborvitae species — specifically Green Giant, Steeplechase, and Spring Grove — are the most deer-resistant options available. But no arborvitae is truly deer-proof.
The critical caveat: when deer are very hungry, they lose selectivity and will eat even these resistant varieties. If deer pressure in your area is severe, the smartest long-term move is to skip arborvitae entirely and plant boxwoods, spruce, holly bushes, or viburnum instead. These species are far less appealing and provide the same dense evergreen look.
Common Mistakes That Worsen Deer Damage
- One-scent reliability: Deer habituate to a single repellent scent over time. Rotate between onion, garlic, and blood-based products to keep them effective.
- Plastic fencing in cold climates: It snaps under snow weight and traps debris. Stick to welded wire for areas with real winters.
- Assuming repellents work below freezing: Most spray formulas break down or lose scent in frost. Have netting ready as a cold-weather backup.
- Tight burlap wrapping: A common error that causes more damage than deer. Leave the top open and keep the wrap loose.
Deer-Proofing Timeline: When to Act
The table below summarizes the seasonal actions that keep arborvitae safe year-round.
| Season | Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Late fall | Apply first repellent treatment; install netting or fencing | Deer establish feeding routes before snow arrives |
| Early winter | Reapply repellent; check barriers after storms | Snow weighs down netting; gaps open up |
| Mid-winter | Rotate repellent scent; inspect for ice damage | Deer have highest hunger pressure now |
| Late winter | Continue repellent schedule; watch for new browse lines | Food runs out; deer get desperate |
| Early spring | Remove wraps and netting; prune damaged branches | Arborvitae needs air; brown tips won’t regrow green |
Final Protection Checklist
Start with repellents as your daily defense, rotate scents every month, and have netting or welded wire fencing ready as backup during deep cold. If you are planting new shrubs, choose Green Giant arborvitae or switch to boxwood or spruce. Check barriers after every snowstorm, and remove all wraps in spring so the plant can breathe. A single winter of damage can take three years to outgrow, so consistent action from late fall through early spring is what saves the plant.
FAQs
Will my arborvitae regrow after deer eat it?
Arborvitae does not regrow from bare brown wood — only the green branch tips produce new growth. If deer stripped the outer foliage but left inner green, the plant may recover over two to three years. If the entire shrub turned brown, replacement is the only option.
Do motion-activated sprinklers work for deer?
They work well during warm months but are useless in freezing temperatures. The water lines freeze, and deer quickly learn to ignore them in cold weather. They are best paired with repellents, not used alone during winter.
How high should deer fencing be to protect arborvitae?
For most suburban yards with moderate deer pressure, 5 to 6 feet is sufficient. In areas with frequent deer activity and hungry animals, fencing must reach 7 to 8 feet because deer can clear a lower fence in a single leap.
Is there a permanent solution to keep deer away from shrubs?
There is no one-time fix. Deer adapt to scents, barriers, and noise. The most sustainable approach is combining a tall welded-wire fence with rotating repellent sprays. In high-pressure areas, replacing arborvitae with deer-resistant alternatives like holly or spruce eliminates the problem permanently.
References & Sources
- Davey Institute. “Stop Deer from Eating Arborvitae Trees (Even Emerald Green!)” Covers repellent frequency, deer-resistant varieties, and winter damage patterns.
- Ask Extension. “Deer Eating Arborvitae – Need to Know Netting” Details netting height, mesh size, and proper burlap barrier technique.
- Bur Oak Land Trust. “A Winter Deer Repellent That Works” Instructions for mixing dried blood repellent and application method.
- Strobert Tree. “Deer Resistant Arborvitae: The Best Varieties for Your Landscape” Lists Green Giant, Steeplechase, and Spring Grove as less appealing to deer.