Deer, rabbits, mice, and voles have the potential to cause considerable damage to our trees and shrubs throughout the winter months.

Few things are as pleasant as enjoying a cup of coffee while looking out the window and watching deer pass through our landscape. However, every rose has its thorns – deer love to feed by gnawing off buds and twigs of vari­ous plants. Bucks use their antlers to rub the bark off you trees to impress the ladies. The most successful control method is to wrap the trunks with tree wrap and use deer and rodent repellants. We currently use two different types of tree wrapping. The first wrap is a white spiral that prevents deer damage from rubbing the trees with their antlers.

white spiral tree wrap

The second type is a new product that came out recently – it is black plastic that is wrapped around the tree trunk. It protects the trees, but also has holes to allow air to circulate around the tree trunk and prevents the wrap from tearing in the wind. Both wraps are removed in the spring.

Rabbits spend most of their time feeding at night under the cover of darkness. They have the potential to kill or deform trees under long periods of snow cover by gnawing the bark off to eat the inner green layer and thus girdling the tree. Rabbits also eat twigs and buds and young plants are often clipped off at snow level. Rabbits will make a perfect 45 degree cut in where the deer gnaw off their food. There are various methods of control – like repellants, feed­ing stations, or even electrical fences, each has their own advantages and disadvantages.

rabbit tree damage

Mice and voles (often called meadow mice) cause the most damage during the winter. They produce a system of passageways underneath the snow layer, protecting them from predators. Like rabbits, they eat the inner green layer un­derneath the bark, girdling young trees and shrubs. Baiting or repellants are successful methods of control. I prefer to use specific deer and rodent repellants because it deters both deer and rabbits.

vole tree damage

We provide tree wrap­ping and also the applications that will help deter deer, rabbits and rodents from munching on your plants and rubbing the bark off your trees. Keep this in mind and if you would like a quote for treat­ments, let us know.