Whitetail bucks often cause damage to small trees by rubbing their antlers on the trunks. If a buck damages your tree, is there anything you can do, and will the tree survive? Once the damage is done, there isn't much you can do to help the tree. It's mostly wait and see at that point. Survival depends on the size of the tree and the extent of damage. If the rub is just on one side, the tree will probably live but it will be weaker on that side and will and probably lose some leaves or branches. Prune any damaged branches and carefully trim away any loose bark. The wound will heal over time but there will be a scar. If the rub is all the way around, the tree may be girdled, and will probably not make it.
If there are deer in your area, there is a good chance that a buck will rub his antlers on trees. They usually target 1-4" diameter trees with smooth bark, or young soft wooded evergreens. A deer's antlers grow velvet over the summer. In the fall, during the rut, bucks scrape antlers on trees to rub the velvet off, to show dominance and to mark territory. In the late winter, they rub to help shed antlers.