Rabbits Chewing Shrubs in Winter: Protect Your Landscaping

When snow covers the grass, rabbits switch to bark, twigs and buds, putting young shrubs, fruit trees and roses at risk. The most reliable protection is a physical barrier, such as a wire cylinder or tree guard that stands taller than the expected snow line.

Winter damage can appear suddenly, especially after snowfall limits access to other food. A few practical clues can help you identify the visitor, protect vulnerable plants and decide whether trapping is appropriate.

How do you know it's rabbits?

Look first at the shape and location of the damage. Rabbits leave clean, angled cuts on stems that can resemble cuts from pruning shears. You may also find bark gnawed low on a trunk, round droppings nearby or tracks crossing the snow around shrubs and young trees.

Other animals can leave similar signs, so compare what you see before choosing a response.

Several signs together provide a clearer answer than one clipped stem alone. Check the surrounding snow, the height of the damage and whether the cut looks clean or torn.

Which plants do rabbits go for in winter?

Rabbits often feed on tender woody growth when grass is covered. Young fruit trees, roses, burning bush, dogwood and other tender shrubs and saplings can attract attention because their bark, twigs and buds remain available above the snow.

Newer landscaping deserves particular attention because young trunks and stems are easy for rabbits to reach. Walk through the yard after snowfall and check these plants first, including shrubs near bed edges or sheltered areas.

How do you protect shrubs and trees?

Physical barriers provide steady protection without depending on weather or repeated applications. Install them before damage becomes extensive, then keep checking them as winter conditions change.

• Wire cylinders: Place a cylinder around vulnerable shrubs so rabbits cannot reach the outer stems.
• Tree guards: Protect the trunks of young trees with guards that block access to the bark.
• Above the snow: Set every barrier taller than the expected snow line, since accumulated snow can give rabbits access to higher growth.
• Clear nearby cover: Remove brush piles near beds to make the area around vulnerable plants less sheltered.
• Inspect after storms: Check that guards remain upright and that snow has not reduced their effective height.

Make sure each barrier continues to cover the part of the plant rabbits can reach. A guard that worked before a storm may need attention after snow piles up around it.

Do repellents work?

Repellents can help in the short term, but they can wash off and require reapplication. That makes them less dependable as the main defense through changing winter weather.

Use a physical barrier as the steady layer of protection. If you also use a repellent, continue inspecting the plants and guards rather than assuming one application has solved the problem.

Should you trap rabbits?

Trapping may be an option when a small number of rabbits repeatedly damage protected plants, but it should not be the first step taken without checking the rules. Trapping, relocation and release requirements vary by state and city.

Before trapping or moving a rabbit, contact your state wildlife agency or local animal control for current guidance. If the situation is difficult to manage or you are unsure how to proceed humanely, consult a wildlife control professional.

How can OcuTrap help with live trapping?

If live trapping is allowed where you are, OcuTrap can make trap checks more practical on cold winter days. Its cellular connectivity works in yards, barns, alleys and remote sites where Wi-Fi may not reach.

A real-time photo alert identifies the animal and confirms the capture the moment it happens. You can check the trap from indoors and use remote door control in the app to release a non-target animal without making a site visit. One app can also monitor any number of traps across properties.

Guard vulnerable plants now so spring does not begin with girdled trees and clipped shrubs. Learn how humane, connected monitoring can support your plan at ocutrap.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall should a rabbit barrier be when snow is expected?

A rabbit barrier should stand taller than the highest snow level you reasonably expect around the plant. Snow can raise the surface rabbits stand on, giving them access to stems and bark that were previously out of reach. Check the barrier after storms and adjust it if accumulated snow has reduced its effective height.

How can I protect rose bushes from rabbits during winter?

Place a wire cylinder around the rose bush to prevent rabbits from reaching its stems and buds. The barrier should extend above the expected snow line and remain upright throughout winter. Inspect it after storms, since drifting or piled snow can give rabbits access to growth above a barrier that was previously tall enough.

Can I relocate a rabbit that I catch in my yard?

Relocation and release rules vary by state and city, so check before setting a trap or moving an animal. Contact your state wildlife agency or local animal control for current guidance. If trapping is permitted, use a humane live-capture approach and be prepared to respond promptly when an animal is captured.

Why did rabbit damage appear only after it snowed?

When snow covers grass, rabbits turn to food that remains accessible, including bark, twigs and buds. This can bring sudden attention to young fruit trees, roses and tender shrubs. Protect vulnerable plants with wire cylinders or tree guards that rise above the expected snow line, then inspect those barriers after each storm.