I have serious deer problems and also have blackberries, both thornless and wild-type thorny. The deer browse a bit on the thornless ones and have kept them from developing to their full potential. They do not bother the thorny wild-types, which I got from the conservation department and planted near the tame berries. Whether deer bother tame thorny berries may depend on how thorny they are. My wild-type are very thorny. Even the leaves have thorns. There are at least three or four different wild types in my planting, and one of them makes berries that are the same size as the Navaho thornless berries. I suppose some of the tame thorny varieties produce superior fruit, but it always seemed to me that not having to deal with the thorns was the deciding factor for tame blackberries. However, I'm glad I have the thorny ones since 90% of the fruit I get is from them. I must have collected ten gallons of berries last year....didn't really keep track, but after having cobblers and making jam I still had seven gallons in the freezer. Finally made blackberry wine from them.

Chuck

I think any thorny blackberry will not only resist browsing, but can be used to prevent browsing on more tender plants by draping the canes for protection. Tongues are tender.

Hi KeepItLow-

I have tons of deer around, but they've never bothered my thornless blackberries, nor any of my thorny/thornless raspberries. I do spray many of my other plants with deer spray, but not them. I think there is enough other things around for them to eat.

Personally, after dealing with the thorny blackberries at the local UPick for years, I wouldn't consider planting them (unless the deer actually started browsing on them) I have been astounded by how much my thornless varieties have produced, and I just added another 24' trellis to grow more.

Good luck,
-Glenn

I belong to another discussion group where deer problems with gardens, trees and such is a common thread topic. The bottom line seems to be that deer will browse on just about anything under some circumstances. I do believe however that thorny blackberries are about the last thing they will go for. However, my thorny blackberries are right beside my thornless berries and the deer in past years have kept my Navaho blackberries from making their normal growth. This year I seem to have fewer deer and the Navahos are looking better.

I planted Norway spruce because deer supposedly will usually leave it alone. I now have deer with Norway spruce breath. YMMV.

Chuck

Deer in my area munch the new tender growth of my raspberries, but leave the woodier, more thorny growth alone. Sprinking powdered blood at the base or one of the egg/garlic sprays usually stops them for me.

Upstate NY the Deer mow down the wild Blackberries when there is little food left in late winter.