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Bill Cochran

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BILL: I was wondering if crab apples were a favorite of deer? I have found some small trees on my hunting land and was told deer love them.

MATT: I referred your question to Matt Knox, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries deer project leader. His reply:

“Yes, deer love them.”

Knox provided some information from Kent Kammermeyer, an authority on wildlife food. His advice: “Most varieties sold at nurseries are ornamentals with tiny crabs that hang on the limbs forever -- till they rot. Look for varieties with large crabs that drop one by one from September to November or later.”

Craven is a good variety, he said.