Deer

Learn how to protect trees from: roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), sika deer (Cervus nippon), fallow deer (Dama dama), Reeve’s muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) and Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis).

Area and status

The UK has 6 species of deer. Red deer and roe deer are native to the UK. Fallow deer were introduced by the Normans around the 11th century. Chinese water deer, sika deer, and Reeve’s muntjac were all introduced within the last 200 years.

Deer populations in the UK are considered to be larger and more concentrated than ever before. This is partly due to the lack of natural predators to regulate their numbers, and milder winters have increased their survival rates and breeding success.

Management of deer in the England is regulated by the Deer Act 1991.

Associated treescapes

Roe deer

Red deer

Sika deer

Fallow deer

Reeve’s muntjac

Chinese water deer

Ecosystem services and impacts on biodiversity

Deer are often selective feeders and can impact certain flora, habitats, or areas disproportionately.

Red deer, sika deer, and fallow deer mainly graze on grasses and sedges and have large home ranges. At high densities, they can cause significant damage quickly across wide areas.

Roe deer and Reeve’s muntjac are selective browsers, live in smaller groups, and are territorial.

Different deer can impact the same habitat in different ways. For example, some woodland ground flora are commonly eaten by Reeve’s muntjac but not by roe deer, which prefer other tree and plants.

Benefits: - at appropriate densities, deer can help create and maintain a diverse understorey, which can increase biodiversity - they can control dominant species such as brambles and holly and improve overall woodland habitat quality - bark stripping by larger deer species can help create nesting cavities for red-listed bird species, such as the marsh tit

However, high deer densities can lead to excessive browsing and grazing. This can reduce or eliminate the shrub layer, with consequences for other wildlife, such as birds, insects, and small mammals. High combined densities of deer and livestock may worsen damage.

Deer can also feed upon the seeds of certain tree species, which can have substantial impacts on seed reserves.

Identification and assessment of damage and risk to trees

Browsing damage

Deer damage trees by browsing and grazing on buds, shoots, and foliage. This affects the trees ability to grow and survive. While some tree species, such as birch and beech are less palatable, when numbers are high or preferred food resources are scarce, more unpalatable species may be browsed.

At moderate deer densities, browsing often creates a distinct ‘browse line,’ at these heights:

  • Reeve’s muntjac: up to 1 metre
  • roe deer: up to 1.1 metres
  • red deer, sika deer, and fallow deer: up to 1.8 metres
  • Chinese water deer: insufficient evidence

Deer browsing damage can be distinguished from:

  • sheep damage: sheep typically leave wool behind
  • rabbit and hare damage: deer leave distinctive teeth marks

Fraying and bark stripping

Fraying and bark stripping can kill trees, increase disease risk, or create structural defects. The height of fraying is species-specific:

  • Reeve’s muntjac: up to 1 metre
  • roe deer: up to 1.2 metres
  • fallow deer: up to 1.5 metres
  • red deer and sika deer: up to 1.8 metres
  • Chinese water deer: insufficient evidence

Other damage

At high densities, deer trampling can damage trees indirectly by changing the surface soil structure or damaging surface roots.

Managing deer in the landscape

Widespread use

Lethal control: shooting.

Occasional use

Non-lethal control: diversionary feeding and nutrient supplementation.

In trial or development

Non-lethal control: immunocontraception.

Modifying deer access to trees

Widespread use

Physical exclusion from an area: fencing.

Physical exclusion from an individual tree or shoot:

Any control must be conducted in line with animal welfare legislation such as the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Occasional use

Physical exclusion from an area: dead hedging.

Physical exclusion from an individual tree or shoot: bud protectors.

Sensory deterrents:

Vegetation management deterrents: vegetation control to reduce cover.

Any control must be conducted in line with animal welfare legislation such as the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Managing trees in the landscape

Widespread use

Adapting harvesting and felling regimes: increasing the height of coppicing and pollarding.

Occasional use

Adapting harvesting and felling regimes: shelterwood, group, and single-tree felling.

Adapting planting pattern and choice:

Any control must be conducted in line with animal welfare legislation such as the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Additional information, guidance and resources

Case studies, trials, and scientific research

Royal Forestry Society

Deer management: 10 years of monitoring.

Support, advice, and guidance

The Deer Initiative Partnership

Advice on effective deer management strategies.

Forestry Commission

Advice on effective deer management strategies.

A visual guide to deer damage in Britain.

Forest Research

How to identify deer (and other mammal) damage to trees and woodland.

Scottish Forestry

Woodland Herbivore Impact Assessment.

Identify and evaluate the damage deer pose to trees in your woodland.

British Deer Society

Distribution maps of UK deer species.