Rabbits ate my Crabapple Tree Bark - Ask Extension
Hello,
Last April, rabbits ate the bark off both my crabapple trees at the base. These trees are about 8" and 6" in diameter. They ate th...
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Rabbits ate my Crabapple Tree Bark #849021
Asked September 07, 2023, 2:07 PM EDT
Hello,
Last April, rabbits ate the bark off both my crabapple trees at the base. These trees are about 8" and 6" in diameter. They ate the bark off all the way around the tree and up to about 6" above ground. I was somewhat surprised that the tree's leafed out. Should I expect the trees to live?
Thank you!
Carver County Minnesota
Expert Response
I am afraid you tree is doomed. It may take a couple of years, but it will eventually die. The tree still had enough residual energy to allow it leaf out. Next spring will be a different story.
BTW, last winter rabbit damage was legendary.
Sorry I couldn't be more positive.
BTW, last winter rabbit damage was legendary.
Sorry I couldn't be more positive.
Thanks Paul!
It's a bittersweet deal as this area once had beautiful sun loving perennials and the crab apple tree became so large that the garden fell into what I consider disarray. I cut the tree down two weeks ago and now I can get my flower garden back. One last question, when I cut the tree down it seemed like it was really full of water. The wood was very wet. Is that a bit odd seeing that the rabbits ate the bark off the tree.
Thank you for all the great work folks like you do!
Dan
