Deer love to nibble on the young, tender foliage of many plants and trees -- some more than others. Pine trees (Pinus spp.) are rarely damaged or seldom severely damaged by deer, reports Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Still, no plant is completely deer-resistant: Hungry deer will eat just about anything, especially in the winter months when food is scarce.
Deer Damage to Pines
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Pine trees encompass about 120 species. They are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 11, although individual species vary widely in their tolerance of cold and heat. Pines are not a favorite food source of deer, but they are a favorite sheltering place -- especially for white-tailed deer, says the website of the Fairfax County Public Schools. The deer may damage the trees when they rub their antlers against the bark, which can cause wounds in the wood through which insects, fungi and bacteria may enter. Feeding is usually less damaging. Deer tend to eat the side shoots of small trees and may be unable to reach the branches of taller pines. Small, weak trees may be severely damaged or even killed if the deer feed enough, but in most cases, pines will survive the occasional deer nibble.
