10/21/2026
What could have made these scars on a young beech tree on Cylburn’s Ravine Trail? The answer is deer rubbing!
Male deer (bucks) have incredibly fast-growing antlers, and as they develop, they rely on a special covering tissue called velvet to provide blood flow and nutrients. Once the antlers are done growing, the velvet has served its purpose and dries up. In order to remove the dead tissue, bucks will scratch their antlers against trees. This behavior typically begins in mid-September and continues throughout the fall mating season as bucks continue to rub in order to establish scent-marked territory.
This rubbing can be harmful to trees, especially young ones, which are preferred by bucks for their small circumference (perfect for itchy antlers!) The scrapes deer cause can leave trees vulnerable to infections and stunt their growth. A tree’s cambium, which allows it to grow and expand, is directly underneath its bark, and is easily damaged by deer rubbing. If you visit Cylburn’s gardens, you can find many trees with deer guards around them in order to prevent rubbing damage. A stop by the crepe myrtles in front of the mansion or a walk on the trails are good chances to see what can happen to trees that are not protected.
