Effects of Simulated Deer Browsing on Branches of Apple Trees

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Abstract
Deer (Odocoileus sp.) browsing was simulated in a mature apple orchard to determine the effects of browsing in winter on subsequent apple production. Four levels of snipping (20, 40, 60, 80%) were administered to sample branches. Ratios of production on snipped branches to production on paired control branches were analyzed. Branches on McIntosh apple trees partially compensated for bud loss at higher snipping levels by retaining more fruit per blossom cluster. Although production was highly variable, effects of snipping on production were significant and consistent with expected values. The relationship between apple production and simulated browsing in this experiment could be used to estimate production loss from deer damage, but confidence limits on such estimates would be very large.

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