Do Rabbits Eat Arborvitae

Rabbits do eat arborvitae, and it’s a common issue for gardeners who have these popular evergreens.
 
Whether you’re dealing with Eastern arborvitae or Emerald Green varieties, rabbits find them tasty and nutritious.
 
In fact, your arborvitae can become a regular snack stop for rabbits, especially during winter when other food is scarce.
 
So if you’ve been wondering “do rabbits eat arborvitae?” the answer is yes, and they can cause significant damage to the bark and foliage.
 
In this post, we’ll explore why rabbits eat arborvitae, how to recognize rabbit damage, and what you can do to protect your shrubs.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

Why Rabbits Eat Arborvitae

Rabbits eat arborvitae for several clear reasons.
 
First, rabbits eat arborvitae because it stays green all winter long.
 
When snow covers the ground and other plants die back, arborvitae remains an accessible food source.
 
Rabbits will nibble on the bark, twigs, and needles just to survive.
 
Second, arborvitae is palatable to rabbits, meaning they actually enjoy the taste.
 
The soft texture of the foliage makes it easy for rabbits to chew and digest.
 
While rabbits eat arborvitae more in cold months, they may also sample it during spring if other greens are limited.
 
Third, rabbits are creatures of habit, and if they find a reliable food spot, they return again and again.
 
So if you have a rabbit population in your yard, you can bet rabbits eat arborvitae from your garden.
 

1. Winter Food Shortage

Winter is the primary reason rabbits eat arborvitae with such enthusiasm.
 
Green vegetation becomes scarce, and rabbits need to find anything edible to stay alive.
 
Arborvitae’s evergreen foliage is a lifeline for rabbits when temperatures drop.
 
Rabbits will strip lower branches and even gnaw on the trunk bark.
 
That’s why you often see damage at the base of arborvitae after a snowy season.
 

2. Nutritional Value

Arborvitae provides some nutrition, which is another reason rabbits eat arborvitae regularly.
 
The needles contain small amounts of carbohydrates and fiber.
 
While it’s not as nutrient-dense as clover or grass, it’s enough to sustain rabbits when nothing else is available.
 
Rabbits will eat arborvitae even if the taste is slightly resinous because the energy gained is worth it.
 

3. Shelter Close to Food

Rabbits often live in brush piles or under decking near arborvitae.
 
The dense evergreen provides excellent cover from hawks and owls.
 
When rabbits have shelter right next to the food source, they naturally eat the arborvitae more frequently.
 
This close proximity means rabbits eat arborvitae at all hours, not just when desperate.
 

Signs That Rabbits Are Eating Your Arborvitae

How do you know if rabbits eat arborvitae in your yard?
 
Look for these telltale indicators.
 

1. Clean 45-Degree Cuts on Twigs

Rabbits have sharp incisors that leave a clean, angled cut on small branches.
 
If you see twigs chopped off neatly at a 45-degree angle, rabbits eat arborvitae branches.
 
Deer tear branches, leaving ragged ends, but rabbits leave a smooth, clipping-like mark.
 
These cuts usually appear on stems less than a quarter inch thick.
 

2. Missing Bark Near the Ground

Rabbits eat arborvitae bark, especially around the base.
 
You may find patches where the outer layer is chewed away, exposing the inner wood.
 
If rabbits eat arborvitae bark completely around the trunk (girdling), the plant above that point will die.
 
This is the most serious damage rabbits can cause.
 

3. Small Round Droppings and Tracks

Rabbit droppings are small, round pellets that resemble cocoa puffs.
 
If you see these scattered around your arborvitae, it’s a sure sign rabbits eat arborvitae there.
 
You may also spot tracks in soft soil or snow, with hind feet longer than front feet.
 
Rabbits are creatures of habit, so once they start, they’ll keep coming back as long as rabbits eat arborvitae from that spot.
 

How to Protect Your Arborvitae from Rabbits

Now that you know rabbits eat arborvitae, you need to take action.
 
Here are effective ways to stop rabbits from eating arborvitae.
 

1. Install a Physical Fence

The most reliable method is to put up a fence around your arborvitae.
 
Use chicken wire or hardware cloth with openings no larger than one inch.
 
The fence should be at least two feet tall and buried a few inches into the ground.
 
Why? Because rabbits can dig under if the fence isn’t secured.
 
If you protect young trees this way, rabbits won’t eat arborvitae as they grow.
 

2. Use Rabbit Repellents

Commercial repellents can deter rabbits from eating arborvitae.
 
Look for products with putrescent egg solids, garlic, or capsaicin.
 
Spray the repellent on the arborvitae foliage and bark, especially the lower parts where rabbits reach.
 
Reapply after rain or heavy snow, as the scent fades.
 
Repellents won’t stop all rabbits, but they reduce the chance rabbits eat arborvitae in that area.
 

3. Modify the Habitat Around Arborvitae

Rabbits feel safe when they have cover nearby.
 
Remove brush piles, tall grass, and wood stacks close to your arborvitae.
 
If rabbits have nowhere to hide, they may be less likely to visit.
 
Also, consider planting arborvitae away from fences or hedges where rabbits travel.
 
By making the area less inviting, you reduce the odds rabbits eat arborvitae from that location.
 

4. Wrap Trunks with Tree Guards

For young or thin arborvitae, spiral tree guards protect the lower trunk.
 
These plastic wraps prevent rabbits from gnawing on the bark.
 
Wrap them loosely around the trunk from the ground up to about 18 inches.
 
Remove them in spring to avoid moisture buildup, which can rot the bark.
 
Tree guards are inexpensive and very effective if rabbits eat arborvitae in winter only.
 

So, Do Rabbits Eat Arborvitae?

Rabbits do eat arborvitae, and they can cause serious damage if left unchecked.
 
We’ve covered why rabbits eat arborvitae, the clear signs of damage, and several ways to protect your shrubs.
 
If you suspect rabbits are eating your arborvitae, act quickly before the damage becomes fatal.
 
With fencing, repellents, habitat changes, or tree guards, you can keep your arborvitae safe.
 
Remember that rabbits eat arborvitae most often in winter, so planning ahead is key.
 
Now you know the answer to “do rabbits eat arborvitae?” and how to handle it.