Deer Resistant Trees & Shrubs
February 5, 2025
Deer Resistant
- Abelia
- Aronia (Chokeberry)
- Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
- Callicarpa (Beautyberry)
- Calluna/Erica (Heath/Heather)
- Calycanthus (Sweetshrub)
- Caryopteris (Blue Mist Shrub)
- Chaenomeles (Quince)
- Clethra (Summersweet)
- Cotinus (Smokebush)
- Cotoneaster
- Cytisus (Broom)
- Deutzia
- Vitex (Chaste Tree)
- Forsythia
- Fothergillia
- Hamamelis (Witchhazel)
- Hibiscus (Rose of Sharon)
- Hypericum (St. Johns Wort)
- Itea (Virginia Sweetspire)
- Kerria
- Lagerstroemia (Crapemyrtle)
- Lindera (Spicebush)
- Philadelphus (Mock Orange)
- Rhamnus (Buckthorn)
- Rhus (Gro-Low Sumac)
- Sambucus (Elderberry)
- Spirea
- Syringa (Lilac)
- Viburnum
- Weigela
Deer Resistant
Needle Leaf Evergreens
- Cephalotaxus (Plum Yew)
- Cryptomeria (Japanese Cedar)
- Juniperus (Juniper)
- Picea (Spruce)
- Pinus (Pine)
Deer Resistant
Broadleaf Evergreens
- Buxus (Boxwood)
- Ilex (American/Inkberry/Dragon Lady)
- Leucothoe
- Mahonia (Leatherleaf)
- Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo)
- Osmanthus (False Holly)
- Pieris (Japanese Andromeda)
- Prunus (Cherry Laurel)
- Sarcoccoca (Sweet Box)
- Skimmia
- Viburnum (Leatherleaf/Prague)
Deer Resistant
Ornamental Trees
- Acer (Red/Sugar/Japanese Maple)
- Aesculus (Buckeye/Horsechestnut)
- Amelanchier (Serviceberry)
- Betula (Birch)
- Crataegus (Hawthorn)
- Fagus (Beech)
- Gleditsia (Honey Locust)
- Magnolia (Saucer/Sweetbay)
- Metasequoia (Dawn Redwood)
- Nyssa (Black Gum)
- Oxydendrum (Sourwood)
It is advisable to cage or fence new plantings for a minimum of one season.
- Buck rubs can pose a challenge, even with the most deer-resistant trees.
- If deer are hungry enough, they will sample any new plantings.