Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Deer damage, 0 by Pistil

Pistil wrote:
I went on a nice hike yesterday. We went through an experimental tree farm, I think some kind of poplar. My friend has been watching the deer damage for several years since they were started as what he describes as an 18" stick in the ground. The damage is mainly on the plants on the edge of the field- he thinks the deer feel safer and can hide in the nearby brush in an instant. They do not go into the open and higher center much, the trees are growing ok there. Mostly they browse on the saplings, causing shrubby regrowth from the base, and suckering. It is hard to see how this could be useful to a farmer (or us homeowners). Some of the ones that get a bit taller are targeted for deer rubbing.

These photos show (sorry only had iphone, it is had to do closeups)
#1 plant victim of deer rubbing
#2 plant in center of big field growing nicely
#3,#4,#5 browsed plants trying to regrow