Introduction
Arborvitae is one of the most popular privacy screening trees in Virginia for good reason: it grows fast, stays dense year-round, and is widely available. It is also, unfortunately, one of the most reliably eaten plants in any deer’s territory. If you have planted arborvitae as a privacy screen and you live anywhere near deer habitat in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, or Suffolk, this is a problem you are likely to encounter.
Virginia’s white-tailed deer population is substantial. According to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, the state supports an estimated one million deer statewide, with significant populations in suburban areas throughout Hampton Roads where development meets wooded land. [Source: dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/deer] Suburban deer have adapted to residential landscapes and show little fear of homes, fences, or people.
This guide covers why deer target arborvitae so specifically, when the damage is worst, protection strategies that actually work, and deer-resistant alternatives if you are starting fresh or replacing damaged plants. For context on which privacy trees are more deer-resistant than arborvitae, see our full guide on fast-growing privacy trees for Virginia.
Why Deer Eat Arborvitae So Aggressively
Not all evergreens are equally appealing to deer. American arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) is consistently ranked among the most heavily browsed landscape plants in the eastern US. Several characteristics make it particularly attractive:
High moisture content. Arborvitae foliage retains significant moisture even in winter, making it a water source as well as a food source during cold, dry months when other vegetation is dormant.
Palatability. The foliage has a flavor profile that deer find highly appealing, unlike some evergreens with oils or compounds that deer find unpleasant.
Accessibility. Arborvitae planted as privacy hedges are at exactly the right height for deer browsing: dense foliage from ground level up to 5 or 6 feet, within easy reach of a standing deer.
Year-round availability. Unlike deciduous plants that go dormant, arborvitae provides green, nutritious foliage through winter when other food sources are scarce. This makes winter the peak damage season.
Virginia Cooperative Extension rates American arborvitae as one of the most susceptible landscape plants to deer damage. [Source: ext.vt.edu/wildlife/deer-resistant-plants] In areas with established deer populations, unprotected arborvitae hedges can be completely stripped of foliage to the deer browse line (the height a standing deer can reach, typically 5 to 6 feet) within one or two winters.
When Is Deer Damage Worst?
Deer browse damage on arborvitae in Virginia follows a predictable seasonal pattern:
Late fall through early spring (October–March). Peak damage season. Deer have exhausted summer food sources, other vegetation is dormant, and arborvitae stands out as one of the few accessible green food sources. This is when most severe stripping damage occurs.
Winter stress compounding. Arborvitae already under winter desiccation stress (see our guide on winter watering for evergreens) is more vulnerable to permanent damage from browsing because its recovery capacity is reduced.
Spring antler rubbing. Male deer rub antlers on small trees in spring and fall, causing bark damage to trunks that can girdle and kill smaller arborvitae. This damage looks different from browse damage — look for shredded bark and exposed wood on the lower trunk rather than eaten foliage.
Summer damage is less severe because deer have abundant alternative food sources. The window to protect arborvitae most effectively is October through November, before winter browsing pressure begins.
Protection Strategies That Actually Work
Deer Repellent Sprays
Repellent sprays applied to arborvitae foliage before peak browse season are the most practical protection method for established hedges. The most consistently effective products contain putrescent egg solids, which produce an odor that deters deer. Bobbex Deer Repellent (bobbex.com, also available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gwci13) and Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent (liquidfence.com, Amazon: https://amzn.to/4bE1JWg) are two widely used and well-reviewed options. Apply in October before deer pressure begins and reapply every 30 days through March, or after significant rainfall. Spray to the point of runoff on all foliage within deer reach. Virginia Cooperative Extension recommends rotating between two repellent products to prevent deer from habituating to a single scent. [Source: ext.vt.edu/wildlife/deer-damage-management]
Physical Exclusion Barriers
For individual trees or small hedges, wrapping with burlap or installing wire cages is the most reliable protection method because it physically prevents access rather than relying on deterrence. Hardware cloth or welded wire fencing formed into cylinders and staked around individual trees provides season-long protection without reapplication. For longer hedges, deer netting (available at garden centers and Amazon: https://amzn.to/4f94DmV) stretched along the length of the hedge and staked at the base creates a physical barrier. Barriers need to extend at least 6 feet tall to prevent deer from reaching over.
Anti-Desiccant Spray as Secondary Protection
Anti-desiccant sprays like Wilt-Pruf (wiltpruf.com) coat foliage with a waxy film that some deer find less palatable. They are primarily used to reduce winterburn but have a secondary deterrent effect. They are not reliable as a primary deer protection strategy on their own, but applied alongside repellent sprays they add a useful additional layer.
Motion-Activated Deterrents
Motion-activated sprinklers like the Orbit Yard Enforcer (available at Home Depot and Amazon: https://amzn.to/456P5vf) startle deer away from protected areas with a burst of water. They are effective when positioned to cover the approach paths deer use consistently. The limitation is that they require water connection and need to be repositioned periodically as deer learn to approach from different angles. They work best as part of a layered protection approach rather than as standalone protection.
Can Browsed Arborvitae Recover?
This depends on how severely the plant was browsed and which parts were damaged. Arborvitae does not regenerate foliage from bare wood the way some plants do. If all green foliage has been removed from a branch, that branch will not regrow foliage and will need to be pruned out.
Light browsing (outer foliage removed, inner green branches visible): The plant typically recovers within one to two growing seasons as interior branches fill out.
Moderate browsing (foliage stripped to main stems but some green present): Partial recovery is possible. The plant will regrow from remaining green material but may have a permanent gap in the hedge until adjacent plants fill in.
Severe browsing (all foliage removed, bare brown stems): The plant will not recover. Replacement is necessary.
For severely browsed hedges, replacement with a deer-resistant alternative is often the more cost-effective decision than attempting to nurse damaged plants back over several seasons.
Deer-Resistant Alternatives to American Arborvitae
Green Giant arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata). Significantly more deer-resistant than American arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis). This is the most important distinction many homeowners miss. Green Giant is a different species with foliage that deer find far less palatable. It grows at the same rate, reaches similar size, and provides equivalent screening. If you are replacing browsed American arborvitae or starting a new privacy screen, Green Giant is the right choice in deer-populated areas.
Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). Native to Virginia, deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, and long-lived. Grows more slowly than arborvitae but requires essentially no maintenance and is not browsed by deer. See our full privacy trees guide for details.
Nellie Stevens holly (Ilex x Nellie R. Stevens). Deer-resistant broadleaf evergreen that provides dense screening. Reaches 15 to 25 feet at maturity. Spiny foliage deters deer effectively.
Inkberry holly (Ilex glabra). Native Virginia holly with dense evergreen foliage and strong deer resistance. Reaches 5 to 8 feet, making it better suited for lower screening applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deer eat Green Giant arborvitae?
Green Giant arborvitae is considerably more deer-resistant than American arborvitae. Deer will browse Green Giant under extreme food pressure, but it is not a preferred food source. In most Hampton Roads suburban settings with moderate deer pressure, Green Giant sustains little to no browse damage. It is the recommended substitute for American arborvitae in deer-populated areas.
How often do I need to apply deer repellent to arborvitae?
Every 30 days during peak browse season (October through March) and after significant rainfall events that wash off the spray. Reapplication consistency is the most common reason repellent programs fail. Missing one application during peak winter pressure can result in significant damage while the plants are unprotected.
Do coffee grounds repel deer from arborvitae?
Coffee grounds are frequently mentioned as a deer deterrent in gardening forums but have little consistent evidence supporting their effectiveness. Virginia Cooperative Extension does not recommend coffee grounds as a primary deer deterrent. Egg-solid based repellent sprays have significantly more documented effectiveness.
Will a fence stop deer from eating arborvitae?
A proper deer fence stops deer completely but needs to be at least 8 feet tall for reliable exclusion, since deer can jump lower fences. Residential fencing of that height is impractical for most properties. Individual tree caging with wire is more realistic for protecting a hedge than a property-wide deer fence in most suburban Hampton Roads settings.
Conclusion
Deer eat arborvitae aggressively, particularly American arborvitae, and the damage in Virginia peaks during fall and winter when other food sources are scarce. If you have American arborvitae in deer country, protection with egg-solid repellent sprays applied consistently from October through March is the most practical management approach. For new plantings or replacements, Green Giant arborvitae or Eastern red cedar are far more deer-resistant choices that provide equivalent screening without the annual battle.
If deer damage has left gaps in your arborvitae hedge and you are weighing replanting versus repair, or if you want guidance on what to plant instead, 757 Tree Solutions serves Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, and Hampton Roads and is happy to help you think through the right approach for your property.
