Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Deciduous Trees > Hickory > Bark chewed or removed
Hickory > Trunk/Branches > Bark chewed or removed
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Deer feeding/antler rubbing
- Long lines of shredded or peeled off bark along main trunk up to 3 feet off the ground from antler rubbing
- Feeding occurs from the ground up to 6 feet or slightly higher. Ragged edges, same as above, also if the bark is removed by a deer there will be no teeth marks
- Wood may appear shiny or "polished"
- Leaves and small branches (>1 inch diameter) cut off with a rough or ragged edge (Not a clean cut!)
- Damage is common only on young trees, old trees have thick bark and wide stem so are not used by deer for antler rubbing
- More information on Problems with deer
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Rabbit feeding
- Bark is completely removed from the main trunk, only young trees are damaged
- Regular scraping the size of a spoon tip can be seen in the wood
- Damage can occur from ground level to several feet up the trunk depending on the depth of winter snow
- Small twigs are cleanly 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 feeding
Microtus spp. and Phenacomys spp.
- On young trees, bark is completely removed from the main trunk in irregular patches
- Scraping the size of fork tines can be seen in exposed wood
- Damage occurs during winter from the ground level up to winter snow depth
- Trees and shrubs appear to "die suddenly" during the growing season, especially if they experience any drought stress
