Hi Patrick,

I’m sorry about your hedge. Rabbit damage was severe this winter and thousands of Minnesota homeowners experienced this kind of damage to trees and shrubs.

The branches of your burning bushes will not recover from being girdled. If you want to keep these plants you should prune the branches off below the damage. They will sprout from below.

Another consideration is that burning bushes have been declared an invasive in Minnesota. Sale and transport is prohibited here.

This fact sheet discusses burning bush and possible replacements:

https://extension.umn.edu/identify-invasive-species/burning-bush

Whatever you decide to do, it’s a good idea to protect shrubs and young tree in winter. Here’s more information:

https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/protecting-trees-and-shrubs-winter#:~:text=For%20small%20trees%2C%20plastic%20tree,rabbits%20aren't%20trapped%20inside.

Sorry to share bad news. Good luck.

I’d expect them to send out new growth, but there’s no way to give you a probability. Burning bushes are tough, but plants are unpredictable. You will know when you try. You can cut them back now.