When it comes to attracting deer, not just any apple tree will get the job done. Sure, an old wild apple might draw a few deer in early fall—but if you’re serious about improving your hunting ground, you need to plant with purpose. The right apple variety can make the difference between a quiet food plot and a high-traffic, late-season hotspot.
To make that happen, there are three key traits to look for in an apple tree: vigor, disease resistance, and drop time.
1. Vigor: Fast Growth, Strong Roots
A vigorous tree establishes quickly, competes well with weeds, and grows into a productive, long-lasting tree. Whether you’re planting in the middle of a field or along a hardwood edge, you want a tree that doesn’t need babying to survive. Especially in hunting setups, where time and labor are limited, vigorous trees give you more return with less input.
2. Disease Resistance: No Time for Spraying
Let’s be real—most hunters aren’t looking to become orchardists. That means trees need to hold up without a strict spray schedule. Disease-resistant apples stand strong against common issues like apple scab, fire blight, and cedar apple rust. Fewer problems mean more energy goes into fruit production, and ultimately, more food for deer.
3. Drop Time: Hitting the Sweet Spot
This might be the most overlooked trait—but it’s also the most important for deer attraction. Some apples drop in August or September, when food is still plentiful. That’s fine for early interest, but if your goal is to pull deer in during the rut or late season, you need trees that drop fruit in October, November, or even December. The right drop time can concentrate deer movement on your property when it matters most.
Choosing the Right Apple
At Workhorse Trees, we specialize in varieties bred specifically for wildlife. Our flagship tree, November Napalm, is a perfect example: extremely vigorous, highly disease-resistant, and timed to drop a heavy load of fruit right when the big bucks are on their feet in November.
Because when it comes to hunting, timing isn’t everything—it’s the only thing.