Tree Damage

Mammal Damage

A number of mammals including squirrels, deer, sheep, goats and horses can cause browsing and bark stripping damage in urban and rural areas.

Damage Control

Bark stripping can occur up to height of 540mm from rabbit damage and up to a height of  700mm from hares. Large planting schemes has been undertaken there can be a need to prevent these types of damage occurring to the recently planted trees. In the cause of rabbits and hares there are three types of protection methods that are available. The first method of protection against rabbits and hares are tree guards. Tree guards come in varying shapes, sizes and materials. The advantages of tree guards are that they are cost effective for small areas, they can protect trees from herbicide damage (dependent on type of tree guard), can make trees easier to locate (especially important if tree is growing in heavy grass along motorways) and they can provide an early boost to growth of the tree. However there are also several disadvantages to tree shelters, can be costly for large planting areas, require regular inspection to make sure that they are in correct position and working properly, some taller guards are unstable in windy conditions causing damage to bark of the tree and they can be unsightly and take away from natural beauty of tree.

The second method for protection of newly planted trees is the use of fencing. This method can be used to protect an entire planting from rabbit and hare damage. The materials used in making these fences are continually evolving so they are stronger, cheaper and can be used repeatedly.

The third method of protection for immature trees is by applying chemical repellents to the areas in question. However, these chemicals are expensive for large areas, usually repeat applications are necessary and they only offer limited duration of protection.