Hardware cloth can be placed around the trunk of trees to prevent damage by rodents. Plastic tree shelters may be effective in controlling rodents on small trees, when extended into the soil. Repellents can be used to reduce damage from rodents and deer. Rotating a variety of repellents is often necessary, as animals may become familiar with a single repellent quickly. Commercial repellents are available, but suspending perfumed soap or small mesh bags containing human hair around the site where damage is anticipated may also be successful.
Deer can be very damaging too young trees when terminal buds are nipped off.
The use of a bud cap may prevent this type of damage. Bud caps are simply a piece of paper wrapped around the bud with the ends of the paper stapled together. Deer will often avoid covered buds, allowing the tree to maintain normal growth. Most properly managed lawns do not need more than two irrigation events per week under the worst conditions. The notable exception of course, would be where the soil is a sandy loam with an excellent perc rate and low water holding capacity.