Deer Food: Blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica)

Class: browse; moderately preferred

Descritption: A small to medium-sized tree (more shrubby as you go west) occurring on dry, sandy soil. This tree species is usually an indicator of sandy soil. A round topped tree with stout dead, drooping lower branches. The acorns are eaten by many species of wildlife.

The foliage and twigs may be browsed by white-tailed deer, particularly during periods of drought or during late fall to early winter. Blackjack oaks can display several leaf variations and acorns mature in the fall of their second year.

Blackjack oak Photos:

Deer Food: Rusty blackhaw (Viburnum rufidulum)

Class: browse; highly preferred by deer

Descritption: Rusty blackhaw grows as a shrub or small tree with irregular branches, a short trunk and a spreading, irregular crown. It occurs in forest understory and in open areas on moist or dry soil. The leaves have short, rusty, hairy leafstalks and are rusty-hairy beneath, especially along the veins, turning red in the fall, and used as browse forage by white-tailed deer.

The bark is rough, forming rectangular or square plates. The fruit is bluish-black when mature and is eaten by some birds and mammals. It is also edible, the pulp having a sweet, raisin-like taste.

Rusty blackhaw Photos:

Deer Plant: Mistletoe (Phoradendron tomentosum)

Class: browse; highly preferred

Description: An evergreen parasitic shrub on other shrubs and trees. The species’ name refers to the dense hair-like covering on young leaves and stems. Most commonly found on Mesquite and Hackberry found in the central U.S. All parts of the plant are poisonous and can be fatal to humans and livestock, but are enjoyed by white-tailed deer.

Fruits are also eaten by some species of birds.

Mistletoe Photos:

Deer Plant: Carolina buckthorn (Frangula caroliniana)

Class: browse; highly preferred

Description: A large perennial shrub or small tree occurring in the understories of forests, drainages and stream bottoms. This browse plant has large leaves and showy red (immature) and black (mature) fruit. The Carolina buckthorn fruit is eaten by some species of birds, but white-tailed deer relish the leaves.

This species can be a prolific re-sprouter after a fire.

Carlina buckthorn photos:

Deer Food: Texas sophora (Sophora affinis)

Class: browse; highly preferred by deer

Descritption: Texas sophora is found growing as a small tree or shrub uncommon on rocky limestone slopes, drainages and along streams and rivers. Sophora fruits mature in the fall, remain attached into winter, and resemble a string of beads. Texas sophora is a legume, the seeds are reported to be poisonous, but deer love to browse Texas sophora leaves, twigs, and buds.

Texas sophora Photos: