Well the roe deer have been at it again. Last week they stripped the
bark from a major branch of Acer davidii 'Karmen' (which will live but
be lopsided for many years) and tore up one side of Acer pseudoplatanus
'Prince Camille de Rohan' (which will be OK eventually if the damage has
time to heal). Both trees were established in the garden, which at
least for Karmen is no small feat; this one is the 3rd try.

Now having just gotten back from a weeks trip I find they've neatly
snipped the top off a Toona sinensis I planted last fall. It's a
sapling on its own roots with one stem, the only visible growth was the
central leader which was coming out very nicely, into the third node or
so, and the only part of the stem above the protection which is 125 cm I
think. Of course they didn't even bother to eat it, just left it lying
along side...

My question is whether the Toona is likely to put out any more leaves
along the stem. It was previously happy to grow vertically and there
are no buds at all anywhere else. Should I give it a light
fertilization, even though it's not established?

I know that some trees will put out new buds in these circumstances.
Maples can actually be completely defoliated (by frost for example) and
will put out "emergency buds" to grow a new set of leaves... one time.
If the emergency set of leaves fails, the maple is dead.

We have a huge overpopulation of deer right now as the French hunters
seem only interested in boar. We've taken to leaving the dog outside
until quite late in order to see them off during the twilight and early
night as he's a good lad and doesn't wander. (He also quite enjoys it,
not seeming to realize he's too slow and fat to actually catch anything!)

Thanks in advance for any advice about the Toona tree.

-E

On 04/22/2011 12:28 PM, Judith in France wrote:
Can't help you with any advice about the Toona but I share your
anxiety about the deer. The hunters are out in force here, there
seems to be a huge amount of culling of the boar going on and oddly
enough rabbits! They gather on the edge of our land, all white vans,
about 20 to each shoot, I see the lookouts on the walkie talkies
getting edgy as the boar is on the move. They entered our land, once,
without asking permission, I sent them off with an Irish flea in their
ear despite their pleas that the boar was in the coppice and they
would share the meat with me. I don't like the meat, too strong for
my taste but I make a mean stew with deer meat.

Hi Judith,

I like boar and deer both (on my plate) but prefer deer. The boar do a
fair bit of damage in the fields but not in the garden, although they
visit and eat fallen fruit.

We are surrounded by the largest forest in Normandie at about 15,000
hectares, of which the immediate part is a privately held hunt. In
exchange for being "good neighbors" (which means not reporting
violations) we are given 4 or 5 choice cuts during the year along with
unlimited access for mushrooming etc. Thank goodness the hunting season
ends in April (except for fox hunting) so it's peaceful now.

cheers,

-E

On 04/22/2011 03:21 PM, Janet wrote:
In article ,
says...

We have a huge overpopulation of deer right now as the French hunters
seem only interested in boar. We've taken to leaving the dog outside
until quite late in order to see them off during the twilight and early
night as he's a good lad and doesn't wander. (He also quite enjoys it,
not seeming to realize he's too slow and fat to actually catch anything!)

Our last garden was on a major deer path as they moved back and forth
daily between the hill and woodland, and it was a constant battle at
certain times of year, especially when they are rubbing velvet from antler
growth. You may find some of the following useful:

They are very much creatures of habit and will often have a favourite
trail across your land and around the treats you have provided. It's
worth looking for the trail marked in the dew in the very early morning,
so you can try to disrupt their routine or make them so nervous they
hurry through without stopping for a snack. If you can see where they come
in, laying a patch of brash will make it less attractive to them.

Unwashed sweaty T shirts can be hung flapping on a stick, broadcasting
human smell when you're not around as does peeing on the ground and piles
of human hair on ground (from hairdresser) . Painted eyes bobbing on a
balloon, flashing cd's hanging from a branch, scarecrows etc. All these
need either moving around or replacing every week or so to keep up the
scare element.


Thanks Janet, I'm afraid that as I was explaining to Judith its not a
question of path but of being surrounded. At night when I shine a light
into the surrounding forest I see lots of eyes, sometimes in one place,
sometimes another. They really do seem to come in to feed on any young
shoot they find, and every part of the garden has been visited at one
time or another.

-E