Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Deciduous > Barberry > Bark or small branches chewed or removed
Barberry > Stems/branches > Bark or small branches chewed or removed
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Rabbit feeding
- Bark from stems is removed to a height of about 2 feet above the ground or the snowline
- Regular scraping the size of a spoon tip will be present in the damaged wood
- Smaller stems are typically cut off with a sharp edge at a 45 degree angle
- Majority of bark feeding occurs in winter and early spring
- Rabbit droppings (small, round pellets) are often found near the damaged shrubs
- More information on protecting trees and shrubs from animals
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Vole damage
Microtus spp. and Phenacomys spp.
- Bark is completely removed from stems or in irregular patches
- Damage occurs in winter and the bark is removed only below the snowline
- Only bark is removed, no branches or small stems are cut off as in rabbit damage
- Wood will show scrapings the size of fork tines
- More information on protecting trees and shrubs from animals
