I have been growing a little pink lady Apple tree from a seed for months. I planted it in my front yard and it was just starting to take off when last night a dang animal (probably a deer) ate almost all of its leaves.

I don’t really want to build a cage around it unless I absolutely have to. Can y’all recommend any other ways to try to keep the deer away? One of my friends mentioned peeing into a two liter bottle throughout the day and pouring it around the perimeter of the little Apple tree. He claimed deer will smell the urine and keep away. Sounds kinda weird...any truth to this?

Stickman - Keep this in mind Sir - I had the same thing happen to 25 Saw Tooth Oak trees I planted several years back and what I learned was it was not varmints eating the leaves it was small beetle type bugs that were in the ground around the base of the trees...About the time that the new growth leaves came out within a week or two it seemed like almost overnight all of my trees leaves were being eaten. Local tree guy came out and told me to go out that night about one hr after dark....I did and the trees were covered with these dark brown beetle looking bugs consuming my trees leaves. The next day I put a sawdust type mixture down I bought at lowes using my fertilizer spreader and it killed them all. I now put this stuff down each year as soon as I see the first leaves popping out to grow..

Apparently they are larva that are laid in the ground and when the ground gets to a certain temperature they hatch....Might. Ot be your same issue but thought I would share my experience....Mark

I remember a baseball movie where they collected all the hair trimmings from the town barber and sprinkled them in the out/infield so the deer would let the grass grow.
Not sure if that works but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it did.

If it's insects, maybe some Neem cake?

A Koala Monkey!!!

quote:

I have been growing a little pink lady Apple tree from a seed for months. I planted it in my front yard and it was just starting to take off when last night a dang animal (probably a deer) ate almost all of its leaves.

I don’t really want to build a cage around it unless I absolutely have to. Can y’all recommend any other ways to try to keep the deer away? One of my friends mentioned peeing into a two liter bottle throughout the day and pouring it around the perimeter of the little Apple tree. He claimed deer will smell the urine and keep away. Sounds kinda weird...any truth to this?

^^^^^^^^^^^^
Put a game camera out to be sure. It could be insects as well. Take a picture of the damage and send it to your County Agent. They will know the problem. They have never failed me in the past. If there are orchards in the area, those folks will know as well.

It's going to be caterpillars.

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
It's going to be caterpillars.

In one night? Can they do that?

Murder wasps already ate the heads off all the bees in the area, had to find something else.

It’s always been deer that go after Apple trees in my experience. I haven’t found anything to keep them away other than a tall fence, dog, or firearm.

If I understand your post correctly, the seed from your Pink Lady apple will grow you a tree that produces a very different type of fruit, I believe. It will be interesting to see what you get.

Deer ate leaves on our little cherry tree growing up. Dad would take his shirt after working up a sweat and hang it on the branches and it would work for a couple of days.

Don't know if it's too early for inchworms in your area but they can strip a tree overnight. Check to see if you can see any hanging from the limbs or surrounding trees.

I really think something like a deer got it. I saw a deer that night before going to bed and my three Apple trees I have inside my fenced in back yard are all fine.

Vote #2 for Human hair clippings.

Put them in a nylon stocking type thingy and hand it in the tree.

Condolences to the Apple tree.

I’m guessing bambi, fence ‘em out....somehow.

Ps. Our local barber gave me a black trash bag full of hair to toss around, didn’t work. Good luck.

I transplant and grow Alternate Leaf Dogwood trees in my yard. If I don’t put a wire fence around them when they’re young, the deer will do as you describe. If it is deer doing your damage, you may have to live with protecting your tree until it’s large enough to withstand lower branch grazing.

I would not be surprised if it is deer. We have had a terrible problem in our area and finally got a nuisance permit and have taken 16 does to date. All were pregnant with either twins or triplets...
These dam things are a PITA!

In my experience the only thing that keeps deer away is a valid hunting licence.

Sorry... I got hungry and was just starting my vegetarian diet

Hope your tree survived