Hybrid Poplar Plantations Outgrow Deer Browsing Effects

Abstract

Good plantation establishment techniques along with fast growing clones result in minimal deer damage to hybrid poplar plantations. Although deer prefer certain clones, as food becomes scarce they eventually browse all clones. With proper establishment trees grow to or beyond the reach of browsing deer in the first year and well beyond in the second. Poorly established plantations result in slower growing trees that are likely to be browsed from several years and remain indefinitely in the shrub stage or even cause plantation failure.

Citation

Netzer, Daniel A. 1984. Hybrid Poplar Plantations Outgrow Deer Browsing Effects. Research Note NC-325. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station