Introduction
If you're looking for a fast-growing, evergreen tree that provides privacy, beauty, and durability, Thuja Green Giants are a top choice. These low-maintenance trees have become a favorite among homeowners and landscapers thanks to their rapid growth, dense foliage, and resistance to pests and diseases. But one of the most common questions people ask is: Are Thuja Green Giants deer-resistant?
For those living in areas with high deer populations, protecting trees and shrubs from browsing damage is a major concern. Many evergreen species, like traditional arborvitae, often fall victim to hungry deer, especially in the winter when food is scarce. However, Thuja Green Giants offer a natural advantage—they are far less appealing to deer than other similar trees.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into what makes Thuja Green Giants deer-resistant, when deer might still pose a threat, and how you can ensure your trees remain safe and thriving.
Are Thuja Green Giants Deer Resistant?
When planting trees for privacy or landscaping, many homeowners worry about one major problem—deer damage. Deer can be relentless in their search for food, especially in suburban and rural areas where natural foraging options are limited. If you've ever planted traditional arborvitae or other evergreen trees, you may have experienced the frustration of waking up to find them stripped bare by hungry deer.
Thankfully, Thuja Green Giants are considered one of the most deer-resistant evergreen trees available. Unlike their relative, the American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), which deer frequently browse, Thuja Green Giants (Thuja standishii × plicata) have a much lower risk of being eaten. Their natural resistance to deer browsing makes them an ideal choice for homeowners looking for a lush, green, and low-maintenance privacy screen that won't turn into a snack.
Why Are Thuja Green Giants Deer Resistant?
Several key factors contribute to their deer resistance:
-
Dense, Fibrous Foliage
- The thick, leathery texture of Thuja Green Giant leaves is less palatable to deer compared to softer evergreen species.
- Unlike traditional arborvitae, which have delicate, feathery foliage that deer can easily strip away, Thuja Green Giants have more robust, resilient leaves that are not as appealing.
-
Strong Aroma
- Thuja Green Giants emit a natural scent that deer tend to avoid.
- Many conifers produce oils that act as a natural deterrent to browsing animals, and the Green Giant’s distinct aroma makes it less desirable compared to other food sources.
-
Fast Growth Rate
- These trees grow 3 to 5 feet per year, which means even if deer take a few bites, they quickly recover.
- Compared to other evergreens that take years to regenerate lost foliage, Thuja Green Giants can bounce back quickly from minor browsing.
-
Deer Preference for Softer Vegetation
- Deer typically prefer tender, easy-to-eat plants such as hostas, roses, and fruit trees.
- Since Thuja Green Giants are tougher and coarser, they are far lower on a deer's list of preferred food sources.
How Thuja Green Giants Compare to Other Trees
If you're trying to decide between different privacy trees, it’s important to compare their deer resistance levels:
| Tree Type | Deer Resistance Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (High) | Rarely eaten unless food is scarce |
| Leyland Cypress | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (Moderate) | Can be browsed by deer in some areas |
| American Arborvitae | ⭐☆☆☆☆ (Low) | Frequently eaten, especially in winter |
| Norway Spruce | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (Moderate) | Sometimes browsed, but recovers well |
| Eastern Red Cedar | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (High) | Strong-smelling foliage deters deer |
Are Thuja Green Giants 100% Deer-Proof?
No plant is completely deer-proof, and under certain conditions, even Thuja Green Giants can be nibbled on. Here are a few scenarios where deer might eat them:
-
Harsh Winters & Food Scarcity 🥶
- If other food sources are unavailable, deer may sample Thuja Green Giant foliage out of desperation.
- This usually happens in extreme weather when deer are struggling to find any greenery.
-
Young, Tender Growth 🌱
- Newly planted Thuja Green Giants have softer foliage that might be more appealing to deer than mature trees.
- As the tree grows and its leaves become tougher, it becomes less appetizing.
-
High Deer Populations 🦌
- In areas with extremely high deer densities, browsing pressure is so intense that deer will eat plants they would normally ignore.
Despite these occasional risks, Thuja Green Giants remain one of the best choices for deer-resistant privacy trees.
Why Do Deer Avoid Thuja Green Giants?
When it comes to selecting trees for a deer-prone landscape, Thuja Green Giants stand out as a top choice. Their natural resistance to deer browsing makes them one of the best evergreen trees for privacy and windbreaks. But what exactly makes them so unappealing to deer? The answer lies in a combination of their physical characteristics, chemical composition, and deer feeding habits.
In this section, we’ll dive into the specific reasons why deer tend to avoid Thuja Green Giants and what makes them more resistant than other popular landscape trees.
1. Thick, Dense Foliage is Difficult to Eat
One of the main reasons deer avoid Thuja Green Giants is their dense, fibrous foliage. Unlike the soft, feathery foliage of traditional arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), which deer can easily munch on, Thuja Green Giants have tougher, thicker leaves that are harder for deer to chew and digest.
Why This Matters:
- Deer prefer tender, easy-to-chew foliage that requires little effort to consume.
- The tougher texture of Thuja Green Giant leaves makes them far less appealing than other evergreens.
- Even if deer take a few bites, they often move on to softer plants that are easier to eat.
📝 Comparison to Other Trees:
- Thuja Green Giant: Thick, coarse foliage → 🦌 Less desirable
- Leyland Cypress: Moderately soft foliage → 🦌 Occasionally eaten
- American Arborvitae: Soft, feathery foliage → 🦌 Frequently eaten
2. Strong Aroma Acts as a Natural Repellent
Thuja Green Giants emit a natural scent that helps deter deer. Many coniferous trees produce oils and compounds that make them less appetizing to browsing animals.
What Causes This Odor?
- Essential oils & terpenes: Like many evergreen trees, Thuja Green Giants contain compounds such as terpenes, which are responsible for their strong fragrance.
- These oils give the tree its distinct smell, which many people find pleasant—but deer do not.
- The scent is particularly noticeable when the foliage is crushed or broken, making it an effective natural deterrent.
🌲 Other Trees with Natural Aromas Deer Avoid:
- Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
- Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
- Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica)
While the scent of Thuja Green Giants isn’t as strong as some junipers or spruces, it is enough to discourage most deer from taking a bite.
3. Fast Growth Rate Helps Recovery
Even if deer decide to take a nibble, Thuja Green Giants grow so quickly that they can recover rapidly.
Key Growth Facts:
- Grows 3 to 5 feet per year, far faster than most other evergreens.
- Even if minor browsing occurs, the tree will replace lost foliage quickly.
- This makes them a much lower-risk investment compared to slow-growing evergreens.
🍃 Comparison to Other Trees:
| Tree Type | Growth Rate (per year) | Deer Recovery Ability |
|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant | 3-5 feet 🚀 | High ✅ Recovers quickly |
| Leyland Cypress | 2-4 feet 📈 | Moderate ⚠️ May take time |
| American Arborvitae | 1-2 feet 🐌 | Low ❌ Slow recovery |
If deer do happen to browse a Thuja Green Giant, it won’t take long for it to bounce back. This makes them far superior to American Arborvitae, which can take years to fully recover from deer damage.
4. Deer Prefer Alternative Food Sources
🦌 Just because a plant is available doesn’t mean deer will eat it!
Deer are opportunistic feeders, meaning they eat what’s easiest and most available. In most cases, they prefer:
- Tender garden plants (hostas, tulips, roses)
- Fruiting trees & shrubs (apple trees, berry bushes)
- Soft evergreen foliage (white cedar, American arborvitae)
Since Thuja Green Giants don’t fit into these preferred food categories, deer will usually move on to something tastier.
📌 Deer are more likely to browse Thuja Green Giants when:
- Food is scarce (e.g., winter months with deep snow)
- There is a high deer population competing for food
- Young, tender growth is exposed without protection
Even in these situations, deer tend to cause only minimal damage to Thuja Green Giants compared to other evergreens.
Key Takeaways: Why Do Deer Avoid Thuja Green Giants?
✅ Thick, dense foliage – Harder to chew and digest
✅ Strong scent – Natural deterrent due to essential oils
✅ Fast growth rate – Can quickly recover from minor browsing
✅ Not a preferred food source – Deer favor softer, more tender plants
While no tree is 100% deer-proof, Thuja Green Giants are among the most resistant evergreen trees you can plant. Their dense structure, strong aroma, and rapid growth make them an excellent choice for homeowners looking for a deer-resistant privacy hedge.
In the next section, we’ll explore the rare situations where deer might nibble on Thuja Green Giants and what you can do to prevent it.
Will Deer Ever Eat Thuja Green Giants?
While Thuja Green Giants are highly deer-resistant, no plant is 100% deer-proof. Under certain conditions, deer may nibble on or even cause some damage to these trees. However, it’s usually a last resort when their preferred food sources are unavailable.
In this section, we’ll explore the rare situations where deer might eat Thuja Green Giants, how significant the damage might be, and what you can do to minimize the risk.
1. Extreme Winters & Food Scarcity 🥶
In regions with harsh winters, deer face serious food shortages when their preferred vegetation is covered by snow or depleted. This can drive them to eat plants they would normally avoid, including Thuja Green Giants.
Why This Happens:
- Snow covers grasses and shrubs, limiting food availability.
- Cold temperatures slow plant regrowth, making natural forage scarce.
- High deer populations create competition, forcing them to eat less desirable options.
What to Expect:
- Deer may sample the foliage, but they typically won’t strip the entire tree.
- Most damage occurs on the lower branches where deer can easily reach.
- Once spring arrives and food becomes plentiful, deer usually ignore Thuja Green Giants again.
✅ Solution: Use temporary winter fencing or spray deer repellent in late fall to deter browsing.
2. Young, Tender Growth is More Appealing 🌱
Deer may occasionally nibble on young, newly planted Thuja Green Giants because their foliage is softer and less aromatic than mature trees.
When This Happens:
- Within the first 1-2 years of planting when trees are still developing.
- Spring and early summer, when fresh, new growth is at its most tender.
- If trees are planted near a known deer feeding area (e.g., near woodlands or open fields).
What to Expect:
- Deer may bite off new shoots but usually won’t cause serious damage.
- The tree can easily recover since it grows rapidly.
- Once the foliage matures and thickens, deer lose interest.
✅ Solution: Use deer repellent sprays in the first year and protect young trees with netting or stakes until they establish themselves.
3. High Deer Populations Increase Pressure 🦌
In areas where deer populations are extremely high, food competition forces deer to eat plants they normally avoid.
What This Means for Your Trees:
- If there’s constant browsing pressure, deer may test out various plants—including Thuja Green Giants.
- Young deer or inexperienced fawns might sample the foliage out of curiosity.
- If other food sources are limited, even deer-resistant plants may suffer occasional nibbling.
What to Expect:
- Isolated minor damage on certain trees in heavy deer areas.
- Deer may browse the lowest branches, but they rarely target the entire tree.
- Established trees usually outgrow any damage.
✅ Solution: If you live in a high-density deer area, consider adding a barrier or mixing in other deer-deterring plants like lavender or boxwood.
4. Severe Drought Conditions 🌞
During extended droughts, deer may eat plants they typically ignore due to limited water and food sources.
Why This Happens:
- Drought reduces the availability of grasses, shrubs, and other food sources.
- Deer become less selective as they struggle to find moisture-rich plants.
- Thuja Green Giants retain moisture in their leaves, which may attract desperate deer.
What to Expect:
- Minimal damage compared to other drought-stricken plants.
- Browsing may be short-lived, stopping once rainfall returns.
✅ Solution: Keep your Thuja Green Giants well-watered during droughts to maintain health and resist stress-related damage.
5. Bucks Rubbing Their Antlers 🦌🌳
Even if deer don’t eat your Thuja Green Giants, male deer (bucks) might damage them by rubbing their antlers against the trunks during rutting season (fall).
Why Bucks Rub Trees:
- To shed velvet from their antlers before mating season.
- To mark territory and communicate dominance.
- To strengthen their neck muscles for future fights.
What to Expect:
- Damaged bark and broken lower branches.
- Younger trees are at greater risk since their trunks are softer.
- Repeated rubbing can weaken or kill small trees if left unprotected.
✅ Solution:
- Wrap trunks with tree guards or use stakes to deter rubbing.
- Place a temporary barrier around newly planted trees during the fall.
How to Protect Your Thuja Green Giants from Occasional Deer Browsing
Even though Thuja Green Giants are highly deer-resistant, you can take extra steps to ensure they remain untouched:
✔️ Apply Deer Repellents 🧴
- Use commercial deer repellents (e.g., Liquid Fence, Deer Out)
- Reapply after rain or every 4-6 weeks
- DIY solution: Garlic, hot pepper spray, or rotten eggs deter browsing
✔️ Install Physical Barriers 🚧
- Fencing (at least 7-8 feet tall) is the most effective long-term solution
- Use tree wraps or netting around young trees
✔️ Plant Deer-Resistant Companion Plants 🌿
- Surround your Thuja Green Giants with deer-repellent plants like:
- Lavender
- Russian Sage
- Daffodils
- Boxwood
✔️ Keep the Area Less Appealing to Deer 🏡
- Avoid placing deer-attracting plants nearby (e.g., fruit trees, hostas)
- Keep the landscape open and exposed—deer prefer cover when browsing
Final Thoughts: Will Deer Eat Thuja Green Giants?
✅ In most cases, deer ignore Thuja Green Giants.
✅ They may take an occasional nibble if food is scarce, but damage is usually minor.
✅ Young trees, extreme winters, or high deer populations increase the risk of browsing.
✅ With proper care and protection, your trees will remain lush, green, and healthy!
📢 Looking for the best deer-resistant trees for your yard? Browse our Thuja Green Giants selection at ThujaSupply.com and start planting your worry-free privacy hedge today! 🌲