When snow and ice cover your garden during the winter months, the bark and twigs of trees and shrubs are a favorite food for mice and rabbits. Since the snow this year has buried many food sources for mice and rabbits, some of your garden plants may have damage. Mouse damage will become apparent while the snow cover is receding, since rodents travel in the snow or below snowcover. Rabbit damage is apparent now. If twigs and trunks have been gnawed at, but the bark has not been removed completely around the twig or trunk, then the survival of branch or tree is pretty much certain. However,if the bark is completely gone around the circumference of a branch or trunk, the branch or tree will certainly die. The cambium tissue is just below the outer bark; the nutrients travel in this tissue and it can not be exposed or broken. A tree or branch might break out in leaves at the proper time, but then collapse, since the "lifeline" has been broken. In that case not much can be done. A wound may be covered with "artificial bark" in order to prevent drying out; , it is not, I repeat not a substitute for bark.
To prevent damage during the winter months by rodents or rabbits, spray branches or trunks with "Skoot"; also apply tree guards in the late fall before freeze up.
We're busy setting up the garden centre - lots of new products and new ideas - we are here most days but will be opening for the season on April 15th. If you need anything, please call before you drive out 613-822-0383.
Peter