Browsing by fallow deer (Dama dama) in young broadleaved plantations: seasonality, and the effects of previous browsing and bud eruption

• Published in: Forestry (London) Vol. 73; no. 5; pp. 437 - 445
• Main Authors: Moore, N.P., Hart, J.D., Kelly, P.F., Langton, S.D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press 01-01-2000
• ISSN: 0015-752X; 1464-3626
• DOI: 10.1093/forestry/73.5.437

Browsing by fallow deer was assessed in young broadleaved plantations over 2 years. Most plantations were small and all were between 4 and 9 years old. Browsing was highly seasonal in occurrence, being rare in winter and most frequent in early summer. This seasonal pattern varied between tree species – cherry and rowan were browsed earlier than oak and sweet chestnut. The probability of browsing was also influenced by the previous browsing history of a tree; trees that were browsed in one month were more prone to browsing subsequently. Trees browsed in year 1 were also more likely to be browsed the following year. Browsing was also related to the extent of budding of individual trees, with trees that were in leaf being more prone to damage than those without leaves erupted.