There are a lot of myths out there about what deer do and do not eat. One common question is: do deer eat hedge apples?
Yes, deer will eat hedge apples and leaves from hedge apple trees. While hedge apples are not a major part of a deer’s diet, they will absolutely eat them if they’re hungry enough.
There’s a bit more to learn about deer eating hedge apples which we’ll cover in today’s guide. Read on for more info.
What Are Hedge Apples?
Hedge apples come from hedge apple trees, which are a small tree or large shrub.
Deer will eat the buds, flowers, fruit, soft limbs, and sometimes even the bark from hedge apple trees.
The fruit this tree bears are called hedge apples, because these trees were originally brought to America to use in place of a hedge or fence to keep cattle in.
Hedge apples are large, yellow-green fruits that are shaped like oranges, but have rougher and bumpier exteriors.
They’re about 4-5” in diameter, and give off a bitter aroma.
The fruit oozes a milky and slimy liquid when cut, and have a ping-pong sized seed inside.
Although hedge apples aren’t toxic, they’re considered inedible by humans due to their taste and aroma.
Why Do Deer Eat Hedge Apples?
As we covered, deer will eat hedge apples most other food sources are depleted.
While they’re not big fans of the bumpy exterior, they’ll go after the flesh and seeds inside the hedge apples.
But why do they do this?
Well, for one, deer are. Their sweet-savory and buttery taste are exactly what deer are looking for.
Additionally, deer will consume a wide variety of foods like hedge apples based on opportunity.
Check out this video of a deer happily munching away on hedge apples:
If you’re not convinced, leave some hedge apples out for deer to eat (or plant some), and wait to see what happens!
When Do Deer Eat Hedge Apples?
Deer will forage hedge apple leaves nearly year-round.
The hedge apple fruit is quite bitter, so deer will usually wait until after the first freeze and thaw of the season before eating hedge apples.
This is because the initial freeze/thaw cycle decreases the bitter taste and aroma of hedge apples.
Will Hedge Apples Grow Back After Deer Eat Them?
Hedge apple trees are extremely resilient and will grow back easily, even after being browsed heavily by deer.
Are Hedge Apples Good For Deer?
Hedge apples contain highly digestible fiber and carbohydrates for energy, so they attract deer when other food sources are low.
Hedge apples contain isoflavones, which are antioxidants that behave similarly to Vitamin E and Vitamin C.
These vitamins and minerals provide deer with many benefits.
For example, vitamin C will help protect deer against scurvy and vitamin assists in deer immune system function.
Water-Soluble Vitamins For Deer
Vitamin C is water-soluble, which means they cannot be stored, so they must be replaced continually.
So a deer that eats hedge apples for the vitamin C content must continue to consume foods that contain these necessary vitamins to stay healthy.
Do Deer Eat Hedge Apples? Wrapping Things Up
So, do deer eat hedge apples?
The answer is yes!
Deer will try to steer clear of the thick, rough exterior of hedge apples but will chow down on the flesh and seeds inside.
Although hedge apples aren’t a deer’s first choice, they’ll definitely eat them if they’re hungry enough.
Have any observations to add to the discussion? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.
Check our our other helpful wildlife guides while you’re here:
- Do deer eat rutabaga?
- Do deer eat buckwheat?
- Do deer eat black walnuts?
- Do deer eat hickory nuts?
- Do deer eat sunflowers?
- Do deer eat chufa?
- Do deer eat cranberries?
- Do deer eat honeysuckle?
- Do deer eat oats?
- Do deer eat sorghum?
- Do deer eat milo?
- Do deer eat ryegrass?
- Do deer eat corn?
- Do deer eat rice?
- Do deer eat elderberry?
