Consumption of the small, tart fruits produced by sure apple timber by ungulate mammals is a typical incidence, notably in periods of meals shortage. These fruits, usually smaller and extra acidic than commercially cultivated apples, can function a available meals supply for wildlife.
The palatability of those fruits to deer populations relies on a number of components, together with the provision of other meals sources, the precise number of the fruit, and the person deer’s preferences. In areas the place different meals is scarce, these fruits generally is a essential a part of a deer’s food plan, offering important vitamins and vitality for survival by way of harsh environmental circumstances. Traditionally, the presence of such timber close to deer habitats has influenced foraging patterns and habitat utilization.