Black Locust is a beautiful, fast-growing tree that deer love to eat. In fact, they will often strip the bark and leaves from young trees, killing them. While the bark, twigs, and inner wood have toxins in them, deer will eat them. Some sources say that the toxins can injure them, while others say it would take a lot of consumption for deer to be harmed by black locust. If you have Black Locust trees on your property and don't want deer eating them, there are a few things you can do:
- Plant other species of trees nearby that deer find less palatable. This will create a "buffer zone" around your Black Locusts that the deer are less likely to enter. Good choices for this purpose include American Holly, Eastern Red cedar, and Northern Bayberry.
- Install physical barriers such as fencing or netting around individual trees or groups of trees.
- Use chemical repellents sparingly and only as a last resort; many of these products are toxic to both animals and humans if not used correctly
Why do deer eat Black Locust?
There are many reasons why deer might eat black locust trees. The most likely reason is that the tree is a source of food for them. Black locust trees have nutritious leaves that deer find irresistible.
Another reason why deer might eat black locust trees is that the bark contains tannins. Tannins are bitter compounds that can give plants an astringent taste. Some animals like this taste and will seek out plants with high levels of tannins to eat.
Finally, it's possible that deer simply enjoy the taste of black locusts more than other types of vegetation They may find the flavor addicting or crave the crunchy texture of the bark.
- Black locust trees are fast-growing and can quickly fill in gaps in the forest canopy created by storms or other disturbances. This makes them an attractive forage option for deer looking for new growth after these events.
- The woody nature of black locust also provides shelter and browse protection from predators, another reason why deer may be drawn to these trees.
Nutritional benefits of Black Locust for deer
Black locust trees contain nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, which are all essential for the growth and development of plants. Deer will often eat the leaves and twigs of black locust trees as a source of these nutrients. Additionally, the bark of black locust trees is a good source of cellulose, which is an important component of deer's diet.
Facts about Black Locust trees
The black locust tree is a deciduous, hardwood species native to the southeastern United States. It's also known as false acacia. The black locust has been introduced to other parts of North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The trees are fast growers and can reach a height of 50 feet in just 20 years. They have dark bark and thorns on their branches. The leaves are alternate, pinnately compound with 7-19 oval leaflets that turn yellow in fall before they drop off the tree. In May or June, small white flowers bloom in clusters at the ends of twigs which give way to pods that contain 4-8 seeds each. Black locust trees prefer full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Their roots system is very deep and widespread making them drought tolerant once established
The best way to feed Black Locust to deer
The trees produce pods that contain seeds, and these seeds are high in protein (up to 40 percent). For this reason, black locusts are often used as livestock feed. Deer will eat the pods if they're available, but they don't usually seek out the trees on their own accord. If you want to attract deer with black locusts, you'll need to take steps to make the food more accessible by chopping down branches or cutting off sections of the trunk (known as coppicing). You can then place the cuttings around your property where deer frequent or near their natural browse areas.
How to prevent deer from eating Black Locust?
If you have a black locust tree on your property, there are some things you can do to prevent deer from eating it.
- Fence in your black locust tree with a wire fence that is at least 8 feet tall. This will keep deer away from the tree and give it a chance to grow without being damaged by browsing deer.
- Apply a commercial Deer Repellent around the base of the tree trunk, following label directions carefully. Reapply as directed on the product label since repellents only last for a certain amount of time before they need to be reapplied.
Do deer like Black Locust?
Some say that they do because the trees produce a lot of fruit, while others argue that the thorns on the tree are too harsh for deer to enjoy eating them. However, there is one study conducted by Cornell University in 2006 which found that white-tailed deer actually prefer browsing on black locust over other browse species available to them! So it seems like these majestic creatures may indeed have a taste for this particular type of tree after all.
Can deer eat Black Locust?
Yes, deer can eat black locust trees. They are known to browse on young black locust seedlings in early spring. Black locust provides an important source of nutrients for deer, especially during the winter months. The bark and twigs of mature black locust trees are also eaten by rabbits and porcupines.
Can baby deer eat Black Locust?
Yes, baby deer can eat black locust. The tree is a good source of food for them, as it is high in protein and fat. However, they should only eat the leaves and not the bark or twigs, as these can be harmful to their health.
Do deer eat Black Locust summary
Black Locust are known for being dangerous for animals to eat. This information, though, has not gotten the the deer population. Deer do eat black locust. They will eat all of the parts of black locust. If you see deer eating black locust trees, you shouldn't generally be alarmed. The deer should know how much they can consume. If you are worried, or just want to keep deer from eating your black locust trees, take precautionary measures to stop them.
