If you’re hoping to draw deer like a moth to a flame, it all starts with the right trees. Sweeten the deal with the fruits they crave, and you’ll have them prancing in like clockwork.
From apples to persimmons, these 15 fruit trees are the tastiest bait in the book—perfect for nature lovers looking to turn their yard into a deer magnet.
1. Apple Trees: The Ultimate Deer Magnet
Deer absolutely love apple trees, and they’ll travel impressive distances to munch on both fallen fruit and low-hanging branches. The sweet aroma of ripening apples acts like a dinner bell for local deer populations.
Choose varieties like Honeycrisp or Gala for best results. These trees thrive in most climates across North America and produce abundant fruit even when young. Once established, they’ll provide years of reliable deer attraction.
Plant several trees at different maturity levels to extend the feeding season from summer through late fall.
2. Pear Trees: Sweet Treats Deer Can’t Resist
Pear trees rank high on the deer’s favorite menu. Their exceptionally sweet fruit provides essential calories that deer crave, especially in fall as they prepare for winter. The soft, sugary flesh makes pears particularly appealing to fawns and does.
Bartlett and Kieffer varieties work wonderfully for attracting deer. They’re hardy in zones 5-9 and produce reliable crops year after year. An added bonus: the beautiful spring blossoms make these trees decorative as well as functional.
For maximum attraction, allow some fruit to drop naturally rather than harvesting it all.
3. Persimmon Trees: Fall Favorites for Deer
Nothing draws deer quite like the rich, sweet persimmons that ripen in autumn. Native American persimmons are particularly effective deer attractants, producing small fruits that become incredibly sweet after the first frost.
These trees adapt well to different soil types and require minimal maintenance once established. The astringent quality disappears as fruits ripen, making them irresistible to deer when they’re soft and orange.
Male and female trees are typically needed for fruit production, so plant at least one of each. Deer will patiently wait for persimmons to fully ripen before feasting.
4. Crabapple Trees: Year-Round Deer Attraction
Crabapple trees offer multiple seasons of deer attraction. Spring blossoms provide early browsing opportunities, while the small, tart fruits that persist into winter become crucial food sources when other options disappear.
Varieties like ‘Dolgo’ and ‘Centennial’ produce abundant fruit that deer readily consume. Their compact size makes them perfect for smaller yards or as part of mixed plantings.
Unlike eating apples, crabapples often stay on the tree well into winter, providing food during the harshest months when deer need it most.
5. Cherry Trees: Early Season Deer Delights
Cherry trees bloom early and fruit earlier than many other options, providing deer with much-needed nutrition after winter’s scarcity. Both sweet and sour varieties attract deer, who eagerly browse the lower branches and fallen fruit.
Black cherry trees are particularly effective, as they’re native to many regions and produce fruits deer naturally seek out. The dark fruits are packed with nutrients that support deer health during fawning season.
Plant cherry trees in locations with good air circulation to prevent disease issues while keeping them accessible to visiting deer.
6. Mulberry Trees: Prolific Producers for Hungry Deer
Mulberry trees create feeding frenzies among local deer populations. A single mature tree can produce gallons of berries that drop gradually over several weeks, ensuring deer return repeatedly to your yard.
Red mulberries are native to eastern North America and perfectly adapted to attract local wildlife. These fast-growing trees can reach fruit-bearing age in just a few years, making them quick solutions for deer attraction.
The purple-staining fruits might create some mess on patios or driveways, so plant these trees away from such areas but still within view for optimal wildlife watching.
7. Plum Trees: Juicy Temptations for Woodland Visitors
Plum trees produce abundant, juicy fruits that deer find impossible to ignore. The combination of sugar and moisture makes plums particularly attractive during hot summer months when deer need hydration.
American wild plum varieties are especially effective for attracting native deer. These hardy trees form thickets that provide both food and shelter, creating ideal habitat right in your yard.
Even the leaves and young shoots of plum trees are browsed by deer, making these trees multi-purpose attractants from spring through fall.
8. Pawpaw Trees: Native Treasures Deer Discover
Pawpaw trees offer North America’s largest native fruit, with a tropical custard-like flesh that deer relish when fruits fall in early autumn. These understory trees naturally grow in deer habitat, making them instantly recognizable to woodland visitors.
Growing in small colonies, pawpaws create ideal browsing zones that feel secure to cautious deer. Their large, aromatic fruits have a banana-mango flavor that provides high-energy nutrition as deer prepare for winter.
Plant pawpaws in dappled shade for best results, mimicking their natural woodland edge habitat where deer naturally forage.
9. Serviceberry Trees: Spring’s First Deer Buffet
Serviceberry trees (also called Juneberry or Saskatoon) produce some of the earliest fruits of the season, attracting deer when few other food sources are available. The sweet, blueberry-like fruits ripen just as deer are recovering from winter’s hardships.
Multi-stemmed varieties create browse at different heights, accommodating both adult deer and fawns. Birds also love these berries, bringing additional wildlife to your yard.
Native to North America, serviceberries are perfectly adapted to local conditions and require minimal care while providing maximum wildlife value.
10. Peach Trees: Aromatic Lures for Curious Deer
The intense fragrance of ripening peaches acts like a beacon to deer, drawing them from surprising distances. Deer readily consume both fallen fruit and browse lower branches, sometimes even standing on hind legs to reach higher peaches.
Dwarf varieties make perfect deer attractants, as their fruit remains within easy reach. For cooler climates, choose cold-hardy varieties like ‘Reliance’ or ‘Contender’ that can withstand harsh winters.
Peach trees benefit from annual pruning, which also helps keep fruit production at levels accessible to deer visitors.
11. Fig Trees: Soft Fruits for Gentle Browsers
Fig trees produce soft, sweet fruits that practically melt in a deer’s mouth. In regions where figs grow well (zones 7-10), they’ll become regular stops on deer feeding routes. The broad leaves also provide browse material throughout the growing season.
Cold-hardy varieties like ‘Chicago’ and ‘Brown Turkey’ extend the range where figs can attract deer. Their multiple fruiting cycles create extended feeding opportunities from summer through fall.
Plant fig trees in sheltered locations with southern exposure for best fruit production and maximum deer attraction potential.
12. Hawthorn Trees: Winter Survival Food for Deer
Hawthorn trees produce small apple-like fruits that persist well into winter when other food sources have disappeared. Deer rely on these nutrient-rich berries during the harshest months, making hawthorns essential components of wildlife landscapes.
The thorny branches provide natural protection for the tree while still allowing deer to browse carefully. Washington hawthorn and cockspur hawthorn are particularly attractive varieties to wildlife.
Beyond fruit, deer also browse hawthorn leaves and tender spring growth, making these trees year-round deer magnets.
13. Apricot Trees: Early Summer Deer Attractants
Apricot trees bridge the gap between spring and summer fruits, providing deer with nutrition during a critical transition period. Their fragrant blossoms attract deer who browse the tender new growth even before fruits develop.
Self-pollinating varieties like ‘Moorpark’ ensure good fruit production even with a single tree. The golden fruits are packed with calories and nutrients that support deer health during active summer months.
For northern gardens, choose cold-hardy varieties that can withstand harsh winters while still producing reliable crops to attract deer.
14. Olive Trees: Mediterranean Favorites for Deer
In warmer climates, olive trees provide both fruit and foliage that deer readily browse. The silvery leaves are particularly attractive to deer during dry periods when other vegetation becomes less palatable.
Fruitless varieties still attract deer with their leaves, making them suitable options where fruit production isn’t possible. For fruit-bearing trees, ‘Arbequina’ and ‘Mission’ varieties adapt well to home landscapes.
Deer particularly value the high fat content of fallen olives during autumn and early winter as they build fat reserves for colder months ahead.
15. Elderberry: Small Tree with Mighty Deer Appeal
Elderberry straddles the line between shrub and small tree, creating perfect browsing height for deer. The abundant black fruits provide essential nutrition and hydration during late summer heat when many plants have stopped producing.
Native elderberry varieties like American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) are instantly recognized by local deer populations. The umbrella-shaped flower clusters transform into heavy berry clusters that often bend branches to perfect deer height.
Beyond fruits, deer also browse elderberry leaves and stems, making these multi-purpose attractants throughout the growing season.