yound dogwood tree has bark bitten off at ground level by a rabbit? Should I wrap the bark? If so, with what?

Question

Tree is about 3 years old. Bark at ground level is now exposed. Not sure if a rabbit bit is off. Should I wrap the base of the tree with something??

Answer 1

My arborist says not to use tar on the exposed trunk, but you will need to treat it with Ortho Anti-fungual insecticide to prevent insect infestation or fungus and disease. Lowes sells a plastic wrap especially made for this purpose. You can put two together if the trunk is large or stack them. Often the pesky rabbit will come back, stand on its hind legs and chew again at a higher location. They did on our tree. Also, the wrap is designed so that squirrels and rats aren't able to climb up the tree.

Answer 2

Same thing happened to my Japanese Maple. We just tied an old dish rag around the base of the trunk where the exposed area was. Didn't get bothered anymore and allowed for bark to grow back. Might also want to try putting tar on the exposed area and perhaps around the whole base to keep insects off and deter rabbits from making the bark another meal.

Answer 3

A rabbit is the likely culprit. They'll gnaw on bark to keep their teeth in good condition and for extra fiber in their diet. Go to Home Depot and get some chicken wire and wrap it around the base of the tree. I'm sure the employees will help you out if you tell them what's going on (they'll probably have some reccomendations for keeping the wire in place)

"waskally wabbit!"

Answer 4

If that was my tree, I would follow two steps:
1. Go to local nursery, buy a trunk shield... looks like a 6-8" long pipe made out of metal, and the ratio of the shield depends on how thick is the trunk on that tree, allow extra room for future growth, this shield looks like a grill and it fastens on one side, it's supposed to keep rodents and also protects young trees from lawn mowers and weed wakers... actually keep an eye on the weed waker while you use it around young trees and shrubs. You might see this kind of shields on the young landscapes at local parks and new landscaping on new gated communities... Remember to remove the shield as soon as the tree can thrive by itself to avoid getting it embedded on the trunk when it grow....
Second step: or should I say, make sure before you install the shield, cover the cuts on that trunk with bee's wax, and then wrap it around with a thin, and breathable band of cloth, cheese cloth works good for me... this step is to make sure the trunk is protected while it grows new bark. Good luck, and thanks for being concern about that little green babe...

Answer 5

Sounds like the bite is worse than the bark.

Wrap it with rabbit pelts.

Answer 6

they sell a tape wrap at any nursery or department store..it is cheap

Answer 7

Shoot the rabit.