Deer Orchard™ Starter Pack | Zones 8-10

A new and exciting option for wildlife that is so attractive you may want some for your landscape as well! Part of the botanically confused group of similar-appearing red oaks found in northern Mexico, this is likely a new, undescribed species, or a regional form of a highly variable species originally collected in the San Carlos Mountains by John Fairey and Carl Schoenfeld. Trialed at The John Fairey Garden for a few decades, and originally released to ornamental horticulture through Yucca Do Nursery, it has proven to be a drought, heat and cold resistant tree that produces masses of small acorns like clockwork every year. Tardily deciduous, it will hold onto its leaves through warmer winter areas (zone 8 and up) into late January or February, and the new leaves emerge a hot pink color in March accompanied by bright yellow dangling pollen catkins. In zone 7 it may defoliate earlier depending on the winter, but either the tree can provide cover well into winter in the areas it can be successfully grown.

This attractive, highly adaptable deciduous shrub provides foliage that deer will browse during the summer along with masses of purple berries along the stems which begin ripening in August and are retained on the plant after its leaves well into fall and even early winter in warmer zones, providing a late season food source for both deer and turkey. Native to much of the southeastern US, it is tolerant of full sun to medium shade, it fruits heaviest in brighter conditions. Quite drought tolerant once established and perfectly happy in any soil type from alkaline to acidic as long as the site is reasonably well-drained.

The sumac fruit is persistent on the shrub into winter. While the fruit may not be a favorite wildlife food, it is an important winter survival food. Birds, insects, and deer all use this shrub. It is the host for the hairstreak butterfly caterpillar. Deer will forage on the stems and fruit and birds will eat the berries in winter.

Of hybrid origin, Kieffer Pear has harder fruits than Bartlett but the deer happily consume them with no problem. This selection is more resistant to fire blight and therefore a better choice over the earlier- fruiting Bartlett Pear in areas that experience warm, wet spring weather, especially in humid areas along the gulf coast where the disease can be an issue. Self-fertile but enjoy an even more reliable pollination/fruit set by planting another pear selection nearby, such as the later-fruiting Dr. Deer Pear that we offer for an extended season of sweet deer treats.