Do Rabbits Eat Arborvitae Trees

Rabbits do eat arborvitae trees, and this can be a serious problem for your landscaping.
 
If you’ve been wondering do rabbits eat arborvitae trees, the short answer is yes, they absolutely will.
 
Rabbits are known to target arborvitae trees during winter when food is scarce.
 
These small mammals will nibble on the bark, branches, and foliage of arborvitae trees.
 
In fact, rabbits eating arborvitae trees is one of the most common complaints from homeowners with evergreens.
 
Understanding that rabbits do eat arborvitae trees helps you take the right prevention steps.
 
In this post, we’ll explore why rabbits eat arborvitae trees, signs to watch for, and how to stop them.
 
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about rabbits and arborvitae trees.
 

Why Rabbits Eat Arborvitae Trees

Rabbits eat arborvitae trees for several reasons that make sense from a survival standpoint.
 
Understanding why rabbits do eat arborvitae trees helps you prevent the damage they cause.
 
Here are the main reasons rabbits target these evergreens in your yard.
 

1. Winter Food Scarcity

During winter months, green vegetation becomes extremely hard to find for wild rabbits.
 
Rabbits do eat arborvitae trees because they retain their green foliage all year long.
 
This makes arborvitae trees an attractive and reliable food source when other plants go completely dormant.
 
The evergreen nature of arborvitae means rabbits can always find something to nibble on.
 
Snow cover makes it even harder for rabbits to find food on the frozen ground.
 
So rabbits eating arborvitae trees is often a winter survival strategy for these persistent animals.
 

2. Nutritional Value

Arborvitae trees provide rabbits with essential nutrients they need to survive harsh conditions.
 
The bark and tender shoots contain fiber and other compounds that rabbits actively seek out.
 
While rabbits eating arborvitae trees might not get everything they need, it helps them greatly.
 
The foliage also contains oils that can be beneficial in small amounts for their digestion.
 
Rabbits do eat arborvitae trees because their bodies crave what the tree offers nutritionally.
 

3. Shelter and Convenience

Rabbits often live near arborvitae trees because they offer excellent cover from predators overhead.
 
So rabbits eat arborvitae trees simply because they’re already living right there in the branches.
 
The dense foliage provides protection from predators while they feed on the lower bark.
 
This convenience factor means rabbits will keep coming back to the same arborvitae trees repeatedly.
 
If you have arborvitae trees in your yard, rabbits see them as a combination home and diner.
 

Signs That Rabbits Are Eating Your Arborvitae Trees

If you suspect rabbits do eat arborvitae trees on your property, look for these telltale signs.
 
Early detection is key to saving your trees from serious or even fatal damage.
 
Here’s what to watch for when checking for rabbits eating arborvitae trees in your landscape.
 

1. Clean Cuts on Branches

Rabbit damage looks like clean, angled cuts on small branches and twigs near the ground.
 
Unlike deer who tear branches, rabbits make neat, sharp cuts with their strong front teeth.
 
This is a telltale sign that rabbits are eating your arborvitae trees on a regular basis.
 
You’ll notice these cuts mostly on lower branches within easy reach of the ground.
 
The clean cut is very distinctive and easy to identify compared to other animal damage.
 

2. Bark Damage Near the Ground

Rabbits do eat arborvitae trees by gnawing on the bark at ground level around the trunk.
 
You’ll see missing bark in a ring around the base of the tree trunk where they fed.
 
This damage is usually within 18 inches of the ground where rabbits can easily reach.
 
Girdling the tree like this can kill it if the damage goes all the way around.
 
Checking the base of your arborvitae trees regularly is a smart habit for every homeowner.
 

3. Droppings and Tracks

Small round droppings near your arborvitae trees confirm rabbit activity in the immediate area.
 
Rabbits eating arborvitae trees will leave plenty of evidence behind on the ground below.
 
You might also see tracks in snow or soft soil around the trees after rainfall.
 
These signs together make it absolutely clear that rabbits are the culprits damaging your trees.
 

How To Protect Your Arborvitae Trees From Rabbits

Since rabbits do eat arborvitae trees, you need to take action to protect them properly.
 
There are several effective methods to stop rabbits from damaging your valuable evergreens.
 
Here are the best ways to keep rabbits away from your arborvitae trees for good.
 

1. Physical Barriers

The most effective way to stop rabbits from eating arborvitae trees is fencing them off.
 
Use hardware cloth or chicken wire around the base of each individual tree.
 
Make sure the fence is at least 18 inches tall and buried a few inches deep.
 
This prevents rabbits from digging under the barrier to reach the tasty bark.
 
Physical barriers are the most reliable protection for your arborvitae trees against rabbits.
 

2. Repellents

Commercial rabbit repellents can discourage rabbits from eating arborvitae trees effectively.
 
Apply them according to the instructions and reapply after rain or snow events.
 
Many repellents use strong smells or tastes that rabbits find unpleasant and avoid.
 
While repellents can help, they need consistent reapplication to work well over time.
 
Combine repellents with other methods for the best results against hungry rabbits.
 

3. Habitat Modification

Remove brush piles, tall grass, and debris where rabbits might hide near your trees.
 
If rabbits don’t feel safe near your arborvitae trees, they’ll feed elsewhere in the neighborhood.
 
Keeping the area around your trees clean and open reduces rabbit activity significantly.
 
This simple step makes your yard less inviting to hungry rabbits looking for shelter.
 

So, Do Rabbits Eat Arborvitae Trees?

Rabbits do eat arborvitae trees, and this can be a serious problem for your landscaping.
 
We’ve covered why rabbits eat arborvitae trees, the signs to look for, and how to protect them.
 
With the right prevention methods, you can keep your arborvitae trees safe from rabbits.
 
Remember that rabbits eating arborvitae trees is most common during the cold winter months.
 
Take action before the cold weather arrives to protect your trees from serious damage.
 
Your arborvitae trees can thrive even with rabbits around if you plan ahead properly.