Do Rabbits Eat Dogwood Shrubs

Rabbits do eat dogwood shrubs, and they can cause serious damage to them, especially during the winter months.
 
If you’ve noticed chewed bark, stripped branches, or gnaw marks at the base of your dogwood, a rabbit is likely the culprit.
 
These hungry little herbivores see your dogwood shrubs as a tasty and convenient food source when other options are scarce.
 
In this post, we’ll dig into why rabbits eat dogwood shrubs, how to spot the damage, and the best ways to protect your shrubs from these furry pests.
 
Let’s get right into it.
 

Why Rabbits Eat Dogwood Shrubs

Rabbits eat dogwood shrubs because they are a readily available and highly palatable food source, particularly when snow covers other vegetation.
 
Dogwood shrubs have tender bark, young twigs, and buds that rabbits find irresistible, especially in late fall and winter.
 
Unlike some woody plants that are tough and bitter, dogwoods are relatively soft and nutritious, making them a prime target for rabbits.
 
The key is understanding the seasonal patterns, because rabbits eat dogwood shrubs most aggressively when their preferred foods like grasses and clover are gone.
 
Let’s break down the specific reasons rabbits eat dogwood shrubs in more detail.
 

1. Winter Food Scarcity

During the cold months, rabbits eat dogwood shrubs because there is simply nothing else green available.
 
The ground is frozen or covered in snow, and fresh grass is nowhere to be found.
 
In this situation, the bark of your dogwood shrubs becomes a critical survival food for rabbits.
 
They will chew the outer bark to reach the moist, nutrient-rich inner layer, which is called the cambium.
 
This is why winter is the most dangerous time for your shrubs, as rabbits eat dogwood shrubs to stay alive until spring.
 

2. Tender New Growth

In early spring, rabbits eat dogwood shrubs again because the shrubs push out soft, new shoots and buds.
 
These young parts are full of moisture and have a mild, sweet taste that rabbits absolutely love.
 
While adult rabbits may nibble on various plants, the tender growth of a dogwood shrub is like candy to them.
 
If you have young dogwood shrubs, they are especially vulnerable because their thin bark is easy for rabbits to penetrate.
 
So even when other food is available, rabbits eat dogwood shrubs for the delicious fresh growth.
 

3. Thin Bark Is Easy to Chew

Rabbits have strong front teeth that grow continuously, so they need to gnaw on things regularly to keep them worn down.
 
Dogwood shrubs have relatively thin bark compared to mature trees like oaks or maples, making them easy for rabbits to chew through.
 
This is a big reason why rabbits eat dogwood shrubs over other, tougher woody plants in your yard.
 
The shrubs offer a perfect combination of accessibility and ease, so rabbits don’t have to work hard to get a meal.
 

4. Shelter and Proximity

Rabbits are creatures of habit and prefer to feed where they feel safe from predators.
 
Dogwood shrubs often provide excellent cover with their dense branching, which is why rabbits eat dogwood shrubs right in the same spot they hide.
 
If your shrubs are near a brush pile, tall grass, or a wood line, rabbits have a very short, safe trip to their dinner.
 
This proximity means your dogwoods are constantly at risk of being browsed by rabbits that live nearby.
 

Signs That Rabbits Eat Dogwood Shrubs

So, how do you know if rabbits eat dogwood shrubs in your yard?
 
The damage from rabbits has a very distinct appearance that’s different from deer or other pests.
 
Here are the telltale signs to look for so you can act quickly.
 

1. Clean-Cut Branches at a 45-Degree Angle

When rabbits eat dogwood shrubs, they leave behind a clean, sharp cut on the branches, almost like they were snipped by pruning shears.
 
This is different from deer, which leave jagged, torn edges because they don’t have top front teeth.
 
If you see twigs and small branches neatly clipped off at an angle, it’s a very strong indicator that rabbits are feasting on your shrubs.
 

2. Gnawed Bark Near the Ground

Rabbits are ground-dwellers, so they only reach about 18 to 24 inches up the trunk of a shrub.
 
If rabbits eat dogwood shrubs, you’ll find gnaw marks, stripped bark, or completely girdled trunks low to the ground.
 
Girdling is when rabbits chew a ring around the trunk, which cuts off the flow of water and nutrients, ultimately killing the shrub above that point.
 

3. Small, Round Droppings

Rabbits are not shy about leaving evidence behind, and they poop constantly.
 
You will likely find small, round, pea-sized droppings scattered around the base of your dogwood shrubs.
 
If you see these pellets alongside chewed bark, you can be certain rabbits eat dogwood shrubs in that exact area.
 

How to Protect Dogwood Shrubs from Rabbits

Now that you know rabbits eat dogwood shrubs, you’re probably wondering how to stop them from destroying your plants.
 
There are several effective ways to protect your shrubs, and the best approach often uses a combination of methods.
 

1. Install Physical Barriers

The most reliable way to keep rabbits from eating dogwood shrubs is to create a physical barrier they cannot chew through.
 
Use hardware cloth or chicken wire with openings no larger than 1/4 inch to surround the base of your shrubs.
 
Make sure the fencing is at least 2 feet tall to prevent rabbits from reaching over the top.
 
Bury the bottom edge of the fence a few inches into the soil so rabbits can’t dig underneath it.
 
This barrier will effectively stop rabbits from eating your dogwood shrubs all year long.
 

2. Use Rabbit Repellents

You can also spray your dogwood shrubs with commercial or homemade repellents that deter rabbits by taste and smell.
 
Products containing putrescent egg solids, garlic, or hot pepper are very effective at keeping rabbits away.
 
You’ll need to reapply these sprays after heavy rain or when you see new growth appear in the spring.
 
While not a one-time fix, repellents are a great way to keep rabbits from eating dogwood shrubs when used consistently.
 

3. Clean Up Hiding Spots

Rabbits are shy animals that won’t venture far from cover, so eliminating their hiding spots can reduce the pressure on your shrubs.
 
Keep your lawn mowed short, remove brush piles, and trim tall weeds around your yard.
 
If there’s no safe place for rabbits to hide near your dogwoods, they will be less likely to risk coming out to feed on them.
 
This habitat modification is a smart, long-term strategy for keeping rabbits from eating your dogwood shrubs.
 

4. Plant Rabbit-Resistant Companions

While rabbits eat dogwood shrubs, they tend to avoid strongly scented or fuzzy plants like lavender, marigolds, or Russian sage.
 
Planting these around your dogwoods can act as a natural deterrent, confusing rabbits and making it harder for them to access your shrubs.
 
This isn’t a perfect solution, as a starving rabbit will eat almost anything, but it can help reduce browsing.
 

So, Do Rabbits Eat Dogwood Shrubs?

Rabbits do eat dogwood shrubs, and they can be a major nuisance to gardeners dealing with winter damage.
 
We’ve seen that rabbits eat dogwood shrubs because they are a soft, tasty food source during winter and spring.
 
The damage is often severe, with young shrubs being completely girdled and killed by these persistent nibblers.
 
The good news is that with the right barriers, repellents, and yard clean-up, you can successfully keep rabbits from eating your dogwood shrubs.
 
So if you’ve been asking yourself whether rabbits eat dogwood shrubs, you now have your answer and the solutions to protect your landscape.
 
Take action before the next winter arrives, and your dogwoods will thank you.