- 1). Select a location. Apple trees require five or more hours of direct sunlight for proper growth. The area must also have good drainage. Hills facing the the east or west are typically ideal because they drain well and face the rising or setting sun. Choose an area relatively removed from constant human activity to avoid scaring the deer away. Consider planting the trees in an area already frequented by deer, such as the edge of a sheltered woodland that is near a natural source of water.
- 2). Obtain apple tree saplings from your local nursery. The variety does not matter, as deer enjoy all types of apple trees, including crab apples and McIntosh apples. The sapling should be erect and green. Avoid saplings that are bent, wilted or have a mottled color.
- 3). Dig a hole using the shovel. The hole should be just wide enough to accommodate the sapling's roots if balled or the entire pot of soil if potted. The hole should also be just deep enough to bury the sapling to the point where it was previously buried. Reference the soil mark on its trunk if you are unsure as to how deep the hole should be.
- 4). Root the apple tree sapling. Remove it from its burlap sack or pot and place the entire root mass into the hole. Fill in around the roots and trunk with the soil you removed while digging the hole. Pat down gently and sprinkle tree fertilizer, obtained from your local nursery or garden store, around the base of the tree according to the specific fertilizer's guidelines.
- 5). Water the tree with just enough water to make the soil damp, but not wet enough to cause runoff. Pound a wood, plastic or metal garden stake into the ground next to the sapling and tie the sapling's trunk to the stake. This will help keep the sapling erect and straight while it is becoming established.
- 6). Erect fencing around the tree while it is young to keep the deer away from the sapling. You may use plastic or wire mesh fencing. A fence of a height of 6 to 8 feet is sufficient to keep all but the most determined deer away from your sapling. Keep the fence up until the sapling has become established and reached a height of 6 feet or more. The fencing may be removed after the sapling has reached a sufficient size that the occasional grazing by deer won't harm the tree.
- 7). Use liquid deer repellent. These spray products are designed to mimic the scent of a predator. Spray your sapling thoroughly with the repellent, and reapply as needed according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Use the repellent product until the trees are mature, measuring 6 feet tall or higher.
- 8). Place tree guards around the trunk of your apple tree up to a height of 6 feet. Tree guards protect the apple tree's trunk from male deer rubbing their antlers on the tree, which can quickly kill or mangle an otherwise healthy tree. Purchase tree guards from your local hardware or garden supply store. Make your own tree guard by wrapping chicken wire or wire mesh around the apple tree's trunk.
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