Is this deer damage?

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vossner East Texas, United States(Zone 8a) May 21, 2007

I've noticed deers getting just a little bit bolder when we're around, and Goodness knows how much bolder when we're away. My Italian Stone Pines are looking very ugly at the bottom. In five years they've never looked this way.

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vossner East Texas, United States(Zone 8a) May 21, 2007

here is another shot

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vossner East Texas, United States(Zone 8a) May 21, 2007

damage is not very evident from a distance, but up close, ugh!

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vossner East Texas, United States(Zone 8a) May 21, 2007

my DH doesn't think it's deer damage as we have strategically located feeders on the property and there's plenty to eat before reaching the house. But I'm not so sure they are getting closer and closer. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

The neighbor's cows were also around for a couple of weeks but now that fence is repaired, no more cows but still deers.

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Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom(Zone 9a) May 21, 2007

They look OK to me. I'd say it is just the lower branches getting shaded out by the higher branches as they grow larger.

Resin

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NatureLover1950 Vicksburg, MS(Zone 8a) May 21, 2007

It doesn't look like any deer-related damage I've ever seen. There are usually only two types of deer damage you will see. One is, during harsh winters or very dry summers, they will eat the new tips off the ends of your branches (they only like tender new growth). Two is during the mating season, bucks will "rub" a tree's trunk with his antlers which will leave a visible mark on the trunk. This usually doesn't harm older trees but sometimes on smaller ones, if it's a real agressive buck, he will also snap the tree in half.

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bettydee La Grange, TX(Zone 8b) May 21, 2007

Nery,
In it's natural mature state, the tree takes on an umbrella-like shape. That means a natural loss of lower branches.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Pine
http://cahe.nmsu.edu/ces/yard/2004/061904.html


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vossner East Texas, United States(Zone 8a) May 21, 2007

bettydee, the umbrella shape was precisely the reason I bought these; however I was under the impression it took a long while for this shape to develop. As you can see from my 3rd pic, mine are nowhere near looking like umbrellas. Mine are between 3-5 year old, I don't remember. The lower part of the trees got bare so suddenly, I just knew it had to be critter damage. I'm relieved to learn it's not. Thanks for the excellent links.

These are excellent pines, extremely drought tolerant. You can find these at Home Depot during Christmas in 1 gal pots. I would call them slow growers but I'm not in a hurry, so that's fine w/ me.

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