Deer have ignored my chindo so far. There is a fungus that leaves spots on the leaves and results in leaf drop in the spring. Important to dispose of dropped leaves. Fungal spray is possible. As I posted in the other forum, the leatherleafs in my gardens (z-7b/8a) look simply awful during cold weather. The leaves that remain on the plant are all droopy, and that makes me feel droopy too.

Heavy, maybe, but I doubt you could beat the deer load in Fairfield Co. CT! I have an 8' heavy duty mesh fence. Not the thin wimpy stuff. I've had trees fall on it, the trees cut and removed, and the fence pretty much springs back into place. Maybe a bit of tightening of the top lead, but that's it. Now, some small creature has gotten it, by cutting away small sections along the bottom, but it's easy enough to repair with the hog ringer. I should note that the fence is attached to trees wherever possible (makes it less visible) and is staked all along the bottom. Before the bottom was staked, the deer did wiggle under. So, technically the fence is about 7.5' tall, since there's the 6" or so staking allowance at the bottom. I was a bit concerned they'd be able to jump it with a heavy snow crust and a lot of snow, but they did not. I think, after awhile, they just gave up on the area.

ok i've read up on this further (spurred on, weirdly, by some fiddleheads i saw at the supermarket - i was curious, i bought some, then had to get online to learn how to cook them). apparently, fiddleheads (aka young unfurled new growth on ferns in spring) are a delicacy that white tail deer are known to feast on in the springtime in NJ when some other yummy eats haven't popped out yet. go figure. and apparently, few ferns are safe until they are fully unfurled (and then indigestable). and birdgardner - although they never touched my ostrich ferns, apparently deer will eat those too. the fiddleheads i bought at the store were in fact ostrich fern fiddleheads, and i say, if humans can eat them, why not the deer. those darn cute pesky bastards! yep gotta protect those ferns in the spring from now on...

You're welcome Dirtperson. :) I've never seen anything albino (except a person). But my brother in Minnesota sent me a picture awhile back of an albino squirrel in his backyard. I'll try to find that pic. I hope this little guy really did end up at a rehabber's.........but I wonder what kind of a chance it will have in the wild as an albino, expecially since not having been raised by deer??