z6 is about half the US ... and highly variable ...

give us a big city location ...

are deer an issue?

ken

Westfield, MA

deer are not an issue

I'm in zone 6..I don't love them but lots of my neighbors have hemlocks..

Deer WILL NOT be an issue with Skip Laurel, Ken. Deer don't like them, I think it's something to do with the high concentration of CYANIDE in their leaves. This is one of my go to deer proof hedges in Zone 7, NJ, but I think they will be good in Ma. too.

I have deer big time, I also rely on Rhododendrons, clumping bamboos, boxwoods, and hollies. But this year was special, deep snow hung around all February and deer were even eating my smooth leaved, Japanese holly, not so much the Nellie Stevens or Blue Hollies. This year, I am going all postal by adding some Chinese holly..., beautiful plant but worse than cacti! I have seen deer eating Yucca and nibbling on Magnolia grandiflora when the snows get deep, though never the Skip Laurels!

I live in a development and surrounded by other homes. I don’t have a concern about deer, I am more worried about if it will survive the snow and cold winters. My landscaper says it is a 50/50 gamble.

I would trust your landscaper, they know the limits of your area. You can wrap it in fall if you want to take the risk.