Effectiveness of BGR-P and Garlic in Inhibiting Browsing of Western Redcedar by Black-Tailed Deer

Repellents may offer a feasible approach to alleviating browsing damage by herbivores. We evaluated the effectiveness of Big Game Repellent-Powder® (BGR-P) and garlic in inhibiting browsing by black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus) on western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don.). Seedlings were examined for browsing damage at 24 and 48 hours after treatment and then at 1week intervals for 10 weeks. Seedlings treated with BGR-P suffered less damage than did seedlings treated with garlic or untreated seedlings for the first 8 weeks of the study. The garlic treatment reduced damage below that incurred by untreated seedlings for only 48 hours. BGR-P provides a feasible approach to inhibiting browsing damage for short time spans. The garlic treatment provided marginal protection in these tests but might be worthwhile for other, less desirable tree species. Tree Planters' Notes 46(1):46; 1995. Elk and deer browsing of tree seedlings (figure 1) seriously hinders reforestation efforts in the Pacific Northwest (Rochelle 1992). Browsing suppresses growth and delays regeneration, as well as killing many seedlings that are repeatedly browsed or pulled out of the ground (Evans 1987). Repellents may offer a

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Author(s): Dale L. Nolte, James P. Farley, Sandi Holbrook

Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Volumes 46, Number 1 (1995)

Section: Technical Tips

Volume: 46

Number: 1