Sweet Bay - Magnolia virginiana L. attracts White-tailed Deer - Leyland Cypress fall victim - List of Ornamentals Resistant to Deer damage

Our Virginia Whitetail Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) enjoy browsing on young Sweet Bay along with acorns scattered about the woodland floor. More information on this wetland favoring native magnolia via Virginia Department of Forestry: http://www.dof.virginia.gov/trees/sweet-bay.shtml

This large Oak Tree gets regular visits from the bucks every year, rubbing their antlers on the bark.

On the opposite side of the Oak is a Leyland Cypress that recently received abuse from the deer.

From whence they come.....

Here is a list of ornamentals that are resistant to damage from deer via the University of Maryland - Cooperative Extension Service: http://www.wvu.edu/~Agexten/hortcult/treeshru/resistan.htm

Images by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/