Are you curious if deer munch on autumn olive? You’re in the right place.
Yes, deer do eat autumn olive, and they don’t stop there. This plant provides a tasty snack with its berries, especially during the fall.
Autumn olive (also known as Elaeagnus umbellata) is an ornamental plant with silvery leaves and colorful berries.
Deer seem to enjoy this shrub, often stopping by to snack on its fruits before moving on to nearby vegetation.
If you’re managing land for wildlife, this might be worth noting.
Not only deer but other wildlife like birds also find autumn olive attractive.
Its berries can be used to make jellies and jams if you’re into homesteading.
The plant’s ability to thrive in various conditions makes it a common sight, alongside other familiar faces like honeysuckle and bittersweet.
Dive in to learn more about how autumn olive fits into the ecosystem and your wildlife management plans.
Do Deer Eat Autumn Olive?
Yes, deer do eat autumn olive.
This shrub produces red berries, which are a favorite among white-tailed deer.
The fruit of the autumn olive is small and round. You’ll see silver dots on the berries as they ripen.
In some areas, deer have been seen eating these berries for hours. They enjoy the sweet taste and bright red color.
Autumn olive berries also offer nutritional benefits. They are packed with vitamins and have 17 times more lycopene than tomatoes.
Many hunters and wildlife enthusiasts have observed deer stopping at autumn olive bushes before moving on to other food sources.
If you’re looking to attract deer to your property, planting autumn olive can be a good strategy.
Just be aware that this plant is considered invasive in some regions.
However, deer don’t seem to mind this. They readily consume the berries, getting both food and nutrition.
So, if you have autumn olive on your land, expect to see deer enjoying the fruit. They can’t get enough of it!
Are Autumn Olive Deer Resistant?
Autumn Olive is often considered when planting for wildlife. You may wonder whether it is deer-resistant.
While deer do consume Autumn Olive berries, it is not their primary food source. During times when preferred forage is scarce, deer might eat the berries or browse the leaves.
This means Autumn Olive can’t be considered truly deer-resistant.
Autumn Olive is categorized as an invasive plant. It outcompetes native plants which might otherwise provide better nutrition for deer.
This invasive nature highlights the broader ecological impact beyond deer consumption.
It’s also important to note that while deer eat the berries, they aren’t the most nutritious snack.
Deer might eat them, but you’ll often find they prefer other, more nourishing plants.
Autumn Olive does offer some positive aspects, like erosion control and providing some wildlife food.
However, if you’re seeking deer-resistant plants, native plants are generally a more stable and beneficial option for the ecosystem.
Considering native and deer-resistant plants helps maintain ecological balance and provides better nutrition for deer and other wildlife.
How To Keep Deer From Eating Autumn Olive
Deer can be a significant problem if they start eating your Autumn Olive plants. Here are some methods to manage and protect your plants from deer damage.
You can prune or cut back Autumn Olive regularly. This will keep the plants healthy and reduce the parts that deer can access.
Use a chainsaw or other cutting tools to manage the size of the plants.
Applying herbicides like glyphosate or triclopyr can help control unwanted growth.
These chemicals are effective in managing plants but should be used carefully to avoid harming other vegetation.
Installing physical barriers can also deter deer.
Fences should be at least 8 feet high to prevent deer from jumping over. You might also consider applying deer repellents, which can be sprayed directly on the plants.
Implementing a rotational grazing system for wildlife can help.
If you can control where the deer graze, you can reduce the likelihood of them targeting your Autumn Olive plants.
Using these methods consistently will help protect your plants and keep them healthy.
Will Autumn Olive Grow Back After Being Eaten By Deer?
Autumn olive can grow back after being eaten by deer, but several factors influence its recovery. Key steps can promote healthier regrowth, including protecting the plant and encouraging root health.
Steps To Help Your Autumn Olive Recover
Protect the Remaining Plant Parts
To protect the remaining parts of your autumn olive, you can use fences or mesh barriers to keep deer away.
It’s important to install these barriers around the plant, ensuring they are tall enough to prevent deer from reaching over them.
Promote Root Health
Healthy roots are vital for your autumn olive to bounce back.
Water the plant regularly, especially during dry periods. Ensure the roots are not waterlogged, as this can lead to rot.
Adding compost or a balanced fertilizer can also give the roots the nutrients they need.
Prune Damaged Branches
Pruning helps the plant allocate resources to healthier parts.
Trim damaged or broken branches. Make clean cuts close to the base, avoiding stumps to prevent disease. Doing this encourages new growth from the healthier parts of the plant.
Monitor for Pests and Diseases
After deer damage, plants can be more susceptible to pests and diseases.
Regularly check your autumn olive for any signs of pests or disease. Use appropriate treatments to control them if detected. This ensures that the plant can recover without additional stress.
Understanding Deer’s Diet And Autumn Olive
Deer are adaptable feeders that forage on a variety of plants, including shrubs like autumn olive. Understanding what deer eat and how autumn olive fits into their diet can help you manage wildlife habitats effectively.
Seasonal Variations In Deer’s Diet
Deer diets change with the seasons.
In spring and summer, they prefer soft, nutrient-rich plants like grasses, leaves, and young stems.
During fall, they shift to berries and fruits, and autumn olive berries become an attractive food source.
The bright red berries of Elaeagnus umbellata are rich in lycopene and other nutrients, making them a favorable choice for deer in late fall.
In winter, when food is scarce, deer eat woody plants and any remaining berries.
Autumn olive’s ability to retain leaves and berries late into the season provides a crucial food source during these harsher months.
This shrub, though invasive, aids in soil conservation and offers a reliable food supply for various wildlife.
Autumn olive is non-native to North America, originally from Asia.
It grows well in a variety of soils, including mine spoil and degraded lands.
This makes it a common sight on roadsides, forest edges, and pastures.
Despite being labeled invasive, it plays a role in diversifying plant communities and providing deer with essential nutrients year-round.
What About Other Wildlife And Autumn Olive?
Autumn olive isn’t just food for deer. It provides benefits to a wide range of wildlife.
Birds love autumn olive berries. Species like robins, cardinals, and cedar waxwings feast on the berries, especially in the fall.
This helps the birds get ready for winter or long migrations.
On your land, you might also see turkeys and pheasants enjoying the berries. These birds help spread the seeds, leading to more autumn olive plants.
Small mammals such as raccoons, opossums, and foxes are also attracted to the berries. They rely on them for food, especially when other sources are scarce.
Autumn olive provides wildlife habitat too. Its dense foliage gives shelter to many animals. Birds use the shrubs for nesting and protection from predators.
The plant also contributes to the health of the soil. It fixes nitrogen, helping to improve the surrounding environment.
Over time, this supports a diverse range of plants and wildlife.