Bunny carnage - Ask Extension
After the snow melted recently I was confronted with the horrible condition of my garden. Rabbits had chewed a large amount of bark off my cherry tre...
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Bunny carnage #925631
Asked March 08, 2026, 4:47 PM EDT
After the snow melted recently I was confronted with the horrible condition of my garden. Rabbits had chewed a large amount of bark off my cherry tree (which was my fault for not covering) and my flamingo willow bush and lower branches of a couple of arborvitaes and a climbing rose in addition to munching down a bayberry bush, half of a spirea and a yukka plant. It sounds like there is no hope for the cherry, but I’m wondering about the willow, rose and arborvitae. I’ve never experienced this before. I’ve included some pictures.
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hi Kris,
I'm so sorry about your rabbit damage! It looks like they were hard at work this winter.
It's difficult to tell exactly from the photos, but you may be able to prune the branches down to the good bark (that has not been damaged by the rabbits) and save them. Be sure to water the plants consistently throughout the spring and summer, and continue with pruning next year if needed to encourage good regrowth. The cherry tree unfortunately does not look promising.
Here are some tips for preventing rabbit damage next winter: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/protecting-trees-and-shrubs-winter
Good luck.
