Deer can eat bamboo, but it is not their preferred food source. Over the course of more than 30 years of growing bamboo, I have personally experienced and received reports of only a few instances where deer have caused damage to bamboo through grazing. This indicates that while deer may occasionally eat bamboo, it is not a common occurrence and does not pose a significant threat to the health and survival of bamboo plants.
In my experience, the most damage to bamboo plants is caused by rabbits rather than deer. Rabbits have a tendency to nibble on the tender shoots and young leaves of bamboo, which can sometimes result in minor damage. However, even rabbit grazing does not typically amount to much harm to bamboo plants.
It is important to note that different species of bamboo may vary in their susceptibility to deer grazing. While some bamboo varieties may be more palatable to deer and may attract their attention, others may be less appealing and are therefore less likely to be targeted by deer.
In terms of managing deer grazing on bamboo, there are a few strategies that can be employed. One approach is to create physical barriers, such as fences, around the bamboo plantation to prevent deer from accessing the plants. This can be particularly effective if the area is prone to high deer populations. Additionally, the use of repellents can be considered to deter deer from feeding on bamboo. There are various commercial products available that can be applied to the plants to make them less appealing to deer.
It is worth noting that while deer may not prefer bamboo as a primary food source, when other food options are scarce, they may resort to grazing on bamboo. This is more likely to occur in areas where deer populations are high and their natural food sources are limited.
While deer can eat bamboo, it is not their preferred food source and instances of deer causing significant damage to bamboo plants through grazing are relatively rare. Other factors such as rabbit grazing pose a greater threat to bamboo plants. By employing strategies such as physical barriers and repellents, the impact of deer grazing on bamboo can be minimized.