More than likely.

They may not be eating it. They may be rubbing on it, based on your description. Deer (male and females) will mark territory that way.

I put a little 32" high edging fence around the base to prevent this. I didn't do it soon enough this year, so two of my trees were damaged. I have osmanthus that they don't eat at all, but they also rubbed branches off -- and those were scattered around the shrub.

Cameron

Here is a link that might be useful: photos of trees rubbed by deer

Grrr...marking territory? I don't WANT my yard to be their territory!! Haha. I've also noticed that there are spots where they bed down in our yard...I wonder if I should make our yard less of a "safe haven" ie. shoot at them with a bb or .22.

please don't shoot the dear if you don't intend to kill them.I have bottle fed bear cubs of a sow shot in my lamb pen. She was doing her job so was I. my jack russels ruled them so I think they have warned the other bears not to visit. my dad said if you pull out a gun shoot strait and fast if it does not require killing leave it in the holster.