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Hobblebush plants grow rampantly in forest regions, which is where a lot of deer live. Deer are naturally herbivores, so it’s only logical to wonder if they’ll eat these plants. After all, hobblebush berries are eaten by many animals and humans.
Deer eat hobblebush plants, including berries, twigs, leaves, and more. These plants are often harvested to the ground by many animals.
In this article, you’ll find out why deer love eating hobblebushes, whether or not they endanger the plants, and more.
Can Deer Eat Hobblebush Berries?
Deer can eat hobblebush berries because they’re non-toxic, easy to digest, and full of flavor. These berries are very common in many states that have large deer populations, making them a top food source.
However, deer often eat many other parts of the hobblebush plant while seeking nutrition and curbing hunger.
Here’s a quick list of all of the parts deer eat on a hobblebush:
- Berries: Hobblebush berries are sweet and earthy, which is perfect for a hungry deer. They have multiple tiny, hard seeds that can be difficult for people to digest, but not deer. Deer will eat hobblebush berries off the plant or the ground.
- Sticks and twigs: Hobblebushes have fibrous limbs that provide plenty of nutrients. Deer chew on the twigs and stems while looking for leaves and berries. They also eat anything made of these limbs, including bird nests.
- Leaves: Hobblebush leaves are one of the first parts of the plant deer go for. They can eat them from the ground or on the plant, much like berries. These leaves are chewy, but they shouldn’t be eaten by humans.
- Flowers: Hobblebushes usually flower in the spring. They’re often eaten by nearby deer if they haven’t already eaten the rest of the plants. These delicate flowers wilt and break apart quickly when a deer consumes them.
These massive plants can grow up to 10 feet in any direction, making them a treasure trove of food for any deer passing through. Read on to learn how this food cycle could be problematic for hobblebushes and other plant species.
Are Deer Dangerous for Hobblebush Growth?
Deer are dangerous for hobblebush growth because they eat every part of the plant until there’s nothing left. Many deer will eat the seeds and berries on the ground, making it very difficult for the plant to reproduce. There are many locations in which deer have completely eradicated local hobblebush growth.
There are far more deer looking for food than available hobblebushes due to the excessive consumption rates. While hobblebushes are great for deer, the same can’t be said the other way around. Each part of the plant is eaten, leaving nothing left to grow new plants the following year.
The good news is that the seeds are small and durable, which means they occasionally make it through the deer’s digestive system. Like many other plants consumed by herbivores, hobblebush seeds can grow through deer feces by using it as transportive fertilizer.
The downside to this process is that hobblebushes grow slowly and much better in groups. If they’re consumed before they drop seeds and berries, they still won’t be able to reproduce.
Furthermore, they face the inevitable difficulty of being spread apart from each other. They won’t have supportive root systems, which can hinder their growth.
Hobblebushes are vastly beneficial to deer in many locations. These plants offer almost everything deer need to survive and thrive. Furthermore, they’re very easy to eat since deer don’t need to avoid any part of the plant (there’s nothing toxic on a hobblebush).
Read on for more reasons deer love eating hobblebushes in forests, national parks, residential areas, and just about any place they can.
Why Do Deer Eat Hobblebush Plants?
Deer eat hobblebush plants because they’re nutrient-dense and flavorful. They’re also much bigger than many other shrubs, making them a longer, more reliable food source. The small berries are popular among almost all local herbivores throughout varying forest regions in the eastern United States.
So, why are deer so quick to eat hobblebushes?
- They’re readily available, and every part of the plant is edible. Hobblebushes grow almost everywhere where deer are present. They’re an easy go-to food source for any deer, whether it’s scavenging for food or fending off starvation. Everything from the stems to the leaves can be consumed by deer.
- Hobblebushes produce food throughout the year. Hobblebush buds, leaves, and stems are eaten by deer during any season (source). Their berries grow in the spring, which is when most deer harvest a lot of hobblebushes.
- They’re typically placed near places that bear, and other predators avoid. These safe locations are much more common for deer because they don’t have to compete for food with their predators. For example, raspberry bushes attract bears, so they’re not as good of a choice as hobblebushes.
- These plants have many nutritional benefits for deer and other animals. This is perhaps the most common reason deer eat hobblebush plants. They need fiber, vitamins, and minerals found in all parts of the plant. Each plant part offers unique nutritional benefits.
Hobblebushes are just one of many plants deer eat, but there’s no doubt that they’re integral parts of their diets (source).
Final Thoughts
While deer certainly love eating all parts of the hobblebush plant, it’s important to plant more of these shrubs to prevent them from going extinct.
Those growing hobblebushes in their yards should look forward to plenty of birds, deer, and other animals looking for a quick, nutritious snack.
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