Before buying guards or fencing, define the area and growth you want to protect. New planting, coppice regrowth and scattered natural seedlings present different practical questions. If damage is already occurring, start with our guide to recording deer damage.
Gather the site information
Prepare a marked-up plan showing planting or regeneration areas, boundaries, gates and access routes. Add any existing protection and known damage. Record deer observations on and around the property, whilst keeping sightings separate from evidence of browsing.
The Forestry Commission recommends considering deer impacts before woodland creation and reviewing protection and management as the site develops. See its woodland creation and deer guidance.
Use these questions to prepare a discussion:
- What is being protected, and where is it on the plan?
- Which animals have been observed, and what damage has been recorded?
- How will people and machinery reach the area?
- Who will inspect the protection, arrange repairs and review results?
- What is happening on neighbouring land that should be discussed with its owner?
Individual tree protection
Guards and shelters protect individual trees. Their suitability depends on the animal involved and the site: a short guard intended for small mammals should not be assumed to protect against deer. Height, material and exposure all need consideration.
When discussing a specification, ask how it will accommodate tree growth, how supports will be checked and when materials should be removed. Include maintenance and collection in the plan, as well as installation.
Fencing an area
Fencing can protect a group of trees or a regeneration area. The design needs to suit the target animals and the ground, with gates and public access considered from the outset. It also needs ongoing inspection and maintenance.
Ask for the proposed boundary to be marked on your plan. Discuss access points, inspection responsibilities and how damage to the fence will be dealt with. Do not choose a fence solely from the height of an existing boundary.
The Forestry Commission's guidance on modifying mammal access to trees explains fencing, guards and shelters, including their limitations. A site-specific specification is needed before installation.
Protection and deer management
Physical protection and population management can form parts of the same plan. The appropriate combination depends on the woodland, surrounding land and objectives; this guide cannot establish a culling requirement from damage alone.
Read about Wellow's deer management service for population assessment, selective culling and habitat advice. For wider context, see why manage deer?.
Review what happens next
Keep a record of when protection was installed or repaired, and return to the same observation points. Record both new damage and growth that is developing successfully. Comparing photographs taken in similar seasons is more useful than treating seasonal differences as a management result.
Use our woodland observation guide and downloadable sheet to organise those records. Bring them to a site discussion if damage continues or you are unsure what to change.