How do you protect arborvitae from rabbits? - Ask Extension
My question relates to rabbits nibbling on my arborvitae. This spring I planted some arborvitae (12 of them) which stand only about 1 foot in height ...
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How do you protect arborvitae from rabbits? #159454
Asked November 04, 2013, 12:15 PM EST
My question relates to rabbits nibbling on my arborvitae. This spring I planted some arborvitae (12 of them) which stand only about 1 foot in height and maybe 3-4 inches in width. So they are quite small.
I've noticed a rabbit nibbling on a few of the branches. My fear is that once winter comes, the rabbits will eat the whole arborvitae to the ground. I was thinking of putting some 3-gal. plastic containers over them to protect them from the rabbits over the winter. But I am not sure if doing this will kill the plants, i.e., suffocate them, etc. Could you please advise whether this would in fact happen or if you have another, more effective solution?
I've noticed a rabbit nibbling on a few of the branches. My fear is that once winter comes, the rabbits will eat the whole arborvitae to the ground. I was thinking of putting some 3-gal. plastic containers over them to protect them from the rabbits over the winter. But I am not sure if doing this will kill the plants, i.e., suffocate them, etc. Could you please advise whether this would in fact happen or if you have another, more effective solution?
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
The best
thing to protect your arborvitae is a rabbit exclusion fence. Fences can be
placed around each individual tree. The fence should be made of 1 inch
galvanized steel mesh or hardware cloth 18 to 24 inches high and buried several
inches deep to prevent the rabbits from digging.
Arborvitae also needs to be protected from winter damage caused by our cold drying winter winds. One of the most obvious symptoms of winter damage is the appearance of red-brown foliage that is most severe on the southern and western sides of evergreen trees. A few methods to reduce winter damage are to be sure that the soil around these plants is properly watered until the ground begins to freeze. In windy locations, a burlap screen may be placed on the south or southwest side of the tree in the fall to break the force of the wind thus reducing the risk of dehydration. Coarse wood chip mulch around the root area at the base of the arborvitae will help conserve soil moisture and prevent deep freezing of soil in the winter. http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/M1282.html
Arborvitae also needs to be protected from winter damage caused by our cold drying winter winds. One of the most obvious symptoms of winter damage is the appearance of red-brown foliage that is most severe on the southern and western sides of evergreen trees. A few methods to reduce winter damage are to be sure that the soil around these plants is properly watered until the ground begins to freeze. In windy locations, a burlap screen may be placed on the south or southwest side of the tree in the fall to break the force of the wind thus reducing the risk of dehydration. Coarse wood chip mulch around the root area at the base of the arborvitae will help conserve soil moisture and prevent deep freezing of soil in the winter. http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/M1282.html
