Deer Orchard™ Starter Pack | Zone 7

This stately deciduous Asian oak with long, jagged-edged glossy leaves produces decent crops of acorns at an earlier age than many of our native species, and often they will drop earlier in the fall as well. Acorn production only become heavier and more reliable with age. It is so prolific that there is some concern of this non-native species naturalizing, so best not planted in close proximity to ecologically sensitive sites. It requires well-drained growing conditions that tend to be acidic to neutral, and not recommended for alkaline soil or poorly-drained sites.

A wide-ranging tree that is adaptable to a diverse array of habitats, from the baking hot, dry limestone “Hill Country” of central Texas to moist floodplain margins in central Florida, while also enduring the cold winters in the northern extent of its range from Iowa to southern New England. Over time it will produce shoots from the roots, forming a colony of trunks that provide valuable cover for wildlife. The orange fruit which can range up to the size of a small plum, begin ripening in fall and are often retained on the tree after leaf drop well into December in southern latitudes. Note that this species has separate male and female plants, so to ensure fruit production multiple plants of our unsexed saplings should be sited near each other to increase the chances that both sexes will be present.

Informally referred to as “deer candy” by those who grow this plant as an ornamental, deer seem to love to browse on the foliage of this shrub. Over time it will produce additional stems from the roots and can create a small thicket that provides shelter for wildlife. In fall, dangling warty strawberry-like fruits turn reddish purple and burst open, displaying bright orange seeds consumed by turkeys and other birds. Northern forms tend to be naturally deciduous, but this southeastern US coastal plain form offers the advantage of being fully evergreen into at least zone 8a, offering tasty forage for deer throughout the winter, though it may be deciduous in colder areas. Best as an understory shrub in dappled shade, it prospers in dry to moist woodland conditions and can tolerate short durations of flooding.

This attractive, highly adaptable deciduous shrub provides foliage that deer will browse during the summer along with masses of purple berries along the stems which begin ripening in August and are retained on the plant after its leaves well into fall and even early winter in warmer zones, providing a late season food source for both deer and turkey. Native to much of the southeastern US, it is tolerant of full sun to medium shade, it fruits heaviest in brighter conditions. Quite drought tolerant once established and perfectly happy in any soil type from alkaline to acidic as long as the site is reasonably well-drained.

Of hybrid origin, Kieffer Pear has harder fruits than Bartlett but the deer happily consume them with no problem. This selection is more resistant to fire blight and therefore a better choice over the earlier- fruiting Bartlett Pear in areas that experience warm, wet spring weather, especially in humid areas along the gulf coast where the disease can be an issue. Self-fertile but enjoy an even more reliable pollination/fruit set by planting another pear selection nearby, such as the later-fruiting Dr. Deer Pear that we offer for an extended season of sweet deer treats.

An underutilized tree for both wildlife and for its ornamental qualities, this highly adaptable oak from the mountains of Mexico can be a valuable addition to wildlife plots. Reasonably fast growing for an oak, it fruits at an early age and reliably produces a heavy crop of acorns every year. The nuts themselves are rather large – averaging around grape size, and being in the white oak group they are sweet and have minimal tannin levels. It holds onto its large, leathery leaves through the winter and will be briefly deciduous for a very short period in early spring - dropping its leaves right when the new foliage begins emerging. With a naturally dense crown it will keep its lower, broad-reaching branches for many years, providing excellent shelter for wildlife through the winter. Though it is from Mexico, it comes from an elevation where it experiences freezing winters yet also excels in hot dry summers. Tolerant of all soil conditions as long as they are well-drained. What a great tree!

The sumac fruit is persistent on the shrub into winter. While the fruit may not be a favorite wildlife food, it is an important winter survival food. Birds, insects, and deer all use this shrub. It is the host for the hairstreak butterfly caterpillar. Deer will forage on the stems and fruit and birds will eat the berries in winter.

A very special selection that will be of great interest for wildlife food plots due to its later-than-typical fruiting. Discovered and trialed by Dr. James Kroll (aka “Dr. Deer”) from Stephen F. Austin State University it is invaluable for providing late fall fruit when little else is available. Large clusters of small fruit characterize this selection. Self-fertile but increased fruit set is likely with the presence of another pear cultivar nearby, and can be combined with our other earlier-fruiting selections to have a long season of fruit availability.