Rabbits are often portrayed as cute, furry creatures in books and movies. In the real world, however, rabbits can be destructive pests in the home landscape. In general most urban and suburban areas are ideal habitat for rabbits: plenty of food, cover and few predators. In Minnesota our most common rabbit is the Eastern cottontail. These herbivores will spend much of their time eating grasses and other herbs but they will also chew on the bark of trees and shrubs and eat the buds of shrubs in the winter and spring. If left unprotected rabbits will sometimes eat the bark from around the base of a tree or shrub and can kill the plant.

Rabbits feed on the tissue between the bark and the wood. If rabbits remove the tissue down to the wood and go completely around the tree’s trunk, the damaged tree is effectively girdled. (Girdling destroys the tree as it disrupts the downward flow of food from the tree’s foliage to the root system.) Rabbits damage shrubs by chewing off small branches and girdling large stems.

Rabbit damage can be identified by looking at branches low to the ground. A rabbit’s teeth will cut through the branches at clean 45-degree angle. Often there are branch clippings on the ground. Bark damage is recognized by side-by-side teeth marks in the wood usually a 1/2 inch or more across (smaller is more likely voles). In general this damage is less than 18 inches off the ground. Occasionally damage may be higher if there was a heavy snow fall and the rabbit can walk on the surface of the snow. Other signs include tracks and small, round, pea-sized droppings.

Note: Voles, mice and rabbit damage can also be detrimental to trees and shrubs. Subsurface damage is often caused by voles, which feed on the roots and bark of trees and shrubs. Mice feed on saplings and shrubs below the snow and within the grass layer. Rabbits assault bark and tender buds on areas higher up than the reach of voles and mice.

Rabbits have a preference for trees with “sweet,” thin bark (such as fruit trees and maples) but will try almost any tree in a severe winter, or if populations are high. Trees and shrubs that are often damaged by rabbits in winter include crabapple, apple, pear, redbud, honey locust, serviceberry, burning bush or winged euonymus, flowering quince, barberry, roses, and raspberries. Small evergreens (especially pines) are also vulnerable. However, nearly all young trees and shrubs are susceptible to damage when food sources are scarce.

The most effective way to prevent rabbit damage to trees and shrubs in the home landscape is to place chicken wire fencing or hardware cloth around vulnerable plants. To adequately protect plants, the fencing material needs to be high enough that rabbits won’t be able to climb or reach over the fence after a heavy snow (24 to 36 inches high). The stakes don’t need to be permanently set. To prevent rabbits from crawling underneath the fencing, bury the bottom 2 or 3 inches below the ground (be careful not to damage roots) or pin the fencing to the soil with anchor pins.

A similar structure placed in a cylinder form around the base can help to protect individual trees. Young trees can also be protected by placing white spiral tree guards around their trunks. There are pre-made plastic tree cylinders that can be used on seedlings. Be careful when using these in the winter, as the cold can make the plastic brittle. Since the weather in late fall in Minnesota is unpredictable, it is best to have the protective materials in place by early-to-mid November. After a heavy snow, check protected plants to make sure rabbits aren’t able to reach or climb over the fencing or tree guards. If necessary, remove some of the snow to keep rabbits from reaching the trees or shrubs.

Discourage rodents by reducing grasses and other vegetation that pests use for cover from predators. Mow or chemically control grasses within a 4′ diameter circle around trees. Also, discourage rabbits by reducing vegetative cover, brush piles, junk piles, and other places where rabbits live and hide.

Repellents are another option. Repellents discourage rabbit browsing because of their unpleasant smell. Taste deterrents, such as soap, and hot chili spray, can also be used as a short-term solution during the winter months. Follow all label instructions before using. Unfortunately, repellents aren’t always effective and may need to be reapplied after a heavy rain or snow.

Little can be done once trees and shrubs have been damaged by rabbits. Prevention is the key.