Pear trees or apple trees for deer

[ProcraftMike]

I have been thinking about planting some apple trees to attract deer, but I have also heard some people say that they prefer (and so do the deer) pear trees.

Anyone have an experience between these types of trees?

[abe1]

apples

[BP in ME]

I have two old pear trees among 3-4 dozen apples. Deer eat the pears but don't seem to prefer them over apples. But there is one old apple tree on the corner of the field with little ugly apples that taste nasty to me but they will race each other to get there first in the afternoon.

[Bingle]

Pear!!

[ezmuny13]

they will eat both i would choose apples

[Chad]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BP in ME &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> But there is one old apple tree on the corner of the field with little ugly apples that taste nasty to me but they will race each other to get there first in the afternoon. </TD></TR></TABLE>

those would be crabapples, and will beat regular apples and pears put together.....

[moto]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

those would be crabapples, and will beat regular apples and pears put together.....</TD></TR></TABLE>

+1

[jseasor]

apple if i could prefer, crab apple, even better is persimmon

[Kevin R.]

Persimmon is what goes at the farm. We have two trees and keep them on the trees.Look at the deer dropings and it's full of seeds.

[BP in ME]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kevin R. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Persimmon is what goes at the farm. We have two trees and keep them on the trees.Look at the deer dropings and it's full of seeds.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yup, persimmon is famous for deer but I don't think they're hardy in WI.

[BP in ME]

Mike, if you're investing in apple trees don't forget to protect them. I put a 4'-5' high fence around each sapling to keep the deer from mowing off the tips and 2'-3' of hardware cloth around the trunk to stop the mice/voles in the winter. Fruit borers kill as many as the critters but I don't have an answer for that yet. Anyone else? Orchards spray some special stuff on them but it's $$$ and I think it requires a license in ME anyway.

[BP in ME]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BP in ME &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Fruit borers kill as many as the critters but I don't have an answer for that yet. Anyone else? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Okay, now I've officially lost it. I'm now having conversations with myself on the internet

I just wanted to add that I did find a treatment on the QDMA site. They recommend spraying or brushing interior white latex on the trunks after diluting with water 50-50. I didn't see if this is a spring or fall treatment though.

[Chad]

its a year round treatment. you can reapply as needed....

[mosouthpaw]

id go with apples. Pick an apple variety that matures when your season hits. No reason to choose an apple that drops in August if your hunting season is in November.

Always need to plant more then one apple tree and you should protect them from deer who will browse on the trees and kill them.

[wildkat7]

If you really want to bring them in, plant a persimmon or two or three....find a persimmon tree, put up a deer stand.

[TexaBamaBass]

I would say persimmon, but apple and pear would work also. I plan to plant some of each with also some oaks. While I am at it I will plant some peach trees for myself.

What time of the year is best to plant trees anyway?

[Chad]

Where you are at...February most likely...