If your not wanting to put up a fence around it consider a deer repellant like liquid fence and give it a few sprays once in awhile. When i say fence keep in mind i mean a 3 foot circle of wire https://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Fence-Rabbit-Repellent-32-Ounce/dp/B00TS4WB10/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?adgrpid=64647806792&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI75fvzMKs-wIV-HxvBB0znQ4SEAAYAiAAEgLzHfD_BwE&hvadid=321684696120&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9023967&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5023595742978261297&hvtargid=kwd-307838470791&hydadcr=4312_9618142&keywords=deer+repellent+for+flowers&qid=1668389341&sr=8-4
Here is a thread on fruit cages should you want to go that way Size of fruit tree cages?