Selection rankings of woody species for white-tailed deer vary with browse intensity and landscape context within the Central Hardwood Forest Region

•We created 5 selection classes for a total of 63 hardwood species across 40 genera.•Sixteen species changed in selection, while others remained constant across regions.•Multiple variables and spatial scales were associated with browse selection.•Variables associated with higher browsing rates increased selection of most species.•Our rankings provide guidelines for both management and future research projects.