Deer disfigured my weeping spruce - what to do?
karin_mt
7 years ago
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Deer destroying weeping spruce
Comments (4)They may not be eating it. They may be rubbing on it, based on your description. Deer (male and females) will mark territory that way. I put a little 32" high edging fence around the base to prevent this. I didn't do it soon enough this year, so two of my trees were damaged. I have osmanthus that they don't eat at all, but they also rubbed branches off -- and those were scattered around the shrub. Cameron Here is a link that might be useful: photos of trees rubbed by deer...See MoreCracked Leader On Weeping White Spruce.
Comments (2)it will not harm the plant .... both of the two buds just below .. will try to become leaders.... in about two years.. you will cut one off.. and let the other go ... i would cut off the broken one now ... suck it up.. just do it... i know.. it will be hard .. lol ... mine lost its leader 3 times in 5 years ....which reminds me.. i have to go cut one off also ... ken...See Moreweeping norway spruce, do I plant them now?
Comments (8)Ken thanks for jumping in to assist. I see now that I did not offer enough information so I will answer all your questions 1 by 1. Later on today I will take some photos & post them. I can not right now as it is raining hard. 1. As for the pots. They are the typical black pots that the nurseries use to display the specimens for sale. The sizes of each are listed below next to the description/size of each plant. 2. My location is zone 6a in Pennsylvania between Allentown & the Poconos. 3. About my soil, it is terrible, a mix of clay & pulverized shale, I'm in the Slate Belt area. For all my landscaping I have brought in literally "tons" of enriched topsoil, compost etc. which I have ammended to the planting areas, turning in deeply & well. I have been working on this soil for many years. Right now there is an area in the rear of home (shaded most of the day, early morning sun only) that is ready for planting, drainage would be good & the hose bib is close by if needed. 4. Well if size matters, here goes..... (all measurements taken from where soil & truck meet to top of specimen) Norway Spruce #1 is 3' tall in a black 12"w x 9"h pot. Norway Spruce #2 is 2 1/2' tall in a black 10"w x 9"h pot. Boxwood Spiral is 3 1'2' tall in a 15"w x 12" h pot. 5. When I take the photos later today I will tip these babies out of the pots & shoot photos to show the condition of the roots. 6. Now as for the bargain, the Norwood Spruce were $7.50 ea. & the Spiral Boxwoods were $8.50 ea. At those prices I thought I would give it a try to bring them home & hopefully be able to save them from danger. Even though I am a novice & will follow direction & work hard to protect these guys. My ground is not frozen at this point & I do have a nice shaded area behind my house. I am not sure how you "make sure to keep them dormant", watering, mulching etc in this situation. Any education/input would be greatly appreciated....See MoreMulti-leader weeping white spruce
Comments (11)I would leave it for at least 2-3 years as it may sort itself out on its own (I was doubful this would, but it did). This used to have 2 leaders. When you wait until late Nov. for 50% off, you often end up with “weirder the better” material. This sorted itself out on its own. Its in a wet location (P. Pungens to right is in very wet spot and planted too low hence lower branches dying). Perhaps this helped sort it out (more quickly). The dwarf Alberta spruce to its left is reverting. I really, really, really like weeping white spruce, especially tall, older specimens. A deer also got to this about 3 years ago....See Morekarin_mt
7 years agoNHBabs z4b-5a NH
7 years agokarin_mt
7 years agoDavid Galvan
2 years ago
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