How do I keep deer away from my Eastern White Pine saplings?

[Sun Belt-lover L.A.M.]

Originally Posted by fisheye

What are you going to use as a hedge?

I'm not completely sure. Here are some contenders, which I may ultimately mix:
--Needle Palm. This is the most likely as they can grow in full sun, are of no interest to deer and have a defense (sharp needles) that would keep out intruders too.
--Colorado Spruce. Same as the Needle Palms, but I'm not sure I can count on something prone to bagworms and eventually liable to grow to tree size.
--American Holly. Once again, same as Needle Palm (except needles are replaced by hooks on leaves) but are liable to reach tree size.
--Mountain Laurel. Main problems are the lack of double-defense measures and inability to tolerate full sun.
--Dwarf Palmetto. Unlike the others listed here, I don't have these readily available in advance (even though I do plan to focus on them later in my career).
--Virginian Juniper. Same problems as Colorado Spruce, minus the bagworms.
--Prickly Pear Cactus. These would be far from reliable compared to the others, given that seeing over even mature ones would be extremely easy. They'd probably be better as a last line of defence than a distraction and/or barrier.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by Sun Belt-lover L.A.M.

I'm not completely sure. Here are some contenders, which I may ultimately mix:
--Needle Palm. This is the most likely as they can grow in full sun, are of no interest to deer and have a defense (sharp needles) that would keep out intruders too.
--Colorado Spruce. Same as the Needle Palms, but I'm not sure I can count on something prone to bagworms and eventually liable to grow to tree size.
--American Holly. Once again, same as Needle Palm (except needles are replaced by hooks on leaves) but are liable to reach tree size.
--Mountain Laurel. Main problems are the lack of double-defense measures and inability to tolerate full sun.
--Dwarf Palmetto. Unlike the others listed here, I don't have these readily available in advance (even though I do plan to focus on them later in my career).
--Virginian Juniper. Same problems as Colorado Spruce, minus the bagworms.
--Prickly Pear Cactus. These would be far from reliable compared to the others, given that seeing over even mature ones would be extremely easy. They'd probably be better as a last line of defence than a distraction and/or barrier.

I have no personal experience with the Needle Palms, Dwarf Palmetto, or Prickly Pear Cactus. I will tell you that the others would have problems. Colorado Spruce grow to 50' tall, they can be hooked by the buck when young and they are subject to the fungus Cytospora kunzei (which kills the branches from the ground up). Deer will still nip at the new growth on the Holly and it takes a long time for them to grow tall enough to make a great barrier. Mountain Laurel is one of our deer's favorite winter foods. Most of the ones around me have no leaves below four or five feet above the ground. The Virginian Juniper can almost be described as an 'invasive' since it takes over abandoned fields. It is also a host for the Cedar Apple Rust that will damage fruit trees. I have also had buck hook my Cedars when young.

My first choice for a high (deer proof) hedge would be the Japanese Andromeda. But it will take forever for them to grow 10 or 12 feet high. It took forty years for two of mine to reach that size and most gardeners do not have that patience - heck I will be dead long before I see another one grow that large.

[Sun Belt-lover L.A.M.]

Originally Posted by fisheye

I have no personal experience with the Needle Palms, Dwarf Palmetto, or Prickly Pear Cactus. I will tell you that the others would have problems. Colorado Spruce grow to 50' tall, they can be hooked by the buck when young and they are subject to the fungus Cytospora kunzei (which kills the branches from the ground up). Deer will still nip at the new growth on the Holly and it takes a long time for them to grow tall enough to make a great barrier. Mountain Laurel is one of our deer's favorite winter foods. Most of the ones around me have no leaves below four or five feet above the ground. The Virginian Juniper can almost be described as an 'invasive' since it takes over abandoned fields. It is also a host for the Cedar Apple Rust that will damage fruit trees. I have also had buck hook my Cedars when young.

My first choice for a high (deer proof) hedge would be the Japanese Andromeda. But it will take forever for them to grow 10 or 12 feet high. It took forty years for two of mine to reach that size and most gardeners do not have that patience - heck I will be dead long before I see another one grow that large.

I guess Needle Palm it is, then. The others just didn't seem too reliable to begin with, and you've reinforced that belief. Thanks!

[NC211]

My airsoft gun is nothing special, think I paid $15 via amazon for it. Looks like a 45 hand gun “a little disturbingly accurate if I’m to be honest, can’t believe it’s marketed towards kids”. It’ll shoot one of its little red plastic bb’s probably 300 feet.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by NC211

My airsoft gun is nothing special, think I paid $15 via amazon for it. Looks like a 45 hand gun “a little disturbingly accurate if I’m to be honest, can’t believe it’s marketed towards kids”. It’ll shoot one of its little red plastic bb’s probably 300 feet.

If somebody sees you it could be considered hunting in some states and those fines could be considerable: What Does U.S. State Law Say About Airsoft Guns & Hunting? – AirSoftLounge. Always check your state laws before you do anything on your own. Just because it sounds like a great idea doesn't mean that it will be a great idea. Don't forget that everybody has a cellphone today and what you think is cute could come back with a million hits and some of those are from your game commission. Eyes are watching everything today.

Not only that; but you are talking about chasing deer out of 'their' territory and not yours. Even if you sting one in the butt; you are not there 24/7 and they will remember where their last meal came from.