Though they may seem harmless, rabbits can damage your trees. In fact, these backyard animals enjoy feeding on twigs and shrubs and often remove entire rings of bark from branches and tree trunks. Unfortunately, this impedes nutrients from reaching the area above the damage and can cause the tree to weaken and even die. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this from happening. Here are seven ways to protect your trees from rabbits.
1. Clean your yard Rabbits prefer areas that provide good cover. Keep your grass trimmed and weeded. Clear away piles of brush, remove debris and fill in abandoned burrows. Removing potential sources of shelter will encourage rabbits to seek it elsewhere. 2. Choose rabbit-resistant plants Garlic, leeks, sage and marigolds are a few of the plants that are known to repel rabbits. Add them to your garden or plant them around your trees to keep these pests at bay. 3. Use scent deterrents Since rabbits have an excellent sense of smell, they can often be deterred by strong, foul scents. Try sprinkling red pepper, dried sulphur or onion powder around your trees. 4. Get a dog The presence of a dog is often enough to discourage rabbits from visiting your property. If you have a pooch, let it run free in your yard. 5. Scare them Use models of snakes, owls and other predators to frighten rabbits away from your yard. You can also install motion-activated lights or ultrasonic sound devices to help scare these pests away. 6. Install tree guards Wrap the base of your tree with a plastic tree guard or chicken wire. Your tree guard should extend beyond a rabbit’s reach, usually at least two feet above the ground. In the winter, this height should factor in the depth of snowbanks. 7. Put up a fence Installing a fence is an effective way to keep rabbits out of your yard. You can install one around the entire perimeter of your property, or focus on specific areas. Your fence should be at least three feet tall and should be buried six inches below ground.
TREE REMOVAL IN ALBERTA
If more than 25 per cent of your tree’s circumference is damaged, it should be removed. All Season Tree Service offers emergency tree removal in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Leduc and surrounding areas. Our professional arborists specialize in removing dead, injured, diseased and dangerous trees. Contact us today for a free estimate.