Skip to Left navigation Skip to Main content Skip to Footer

University of Minnesota Extension
www.extension.umn.edu
612-624-1222

Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Deciduous > Hydrangea > Bark or small branches chewed or removed

Print Icon Email Icon Share Icon

Hydrangea > Stem/Branches > Bark or small branches chewed or removed

1 of 3
  • Image: 1
  • Image: 2

Deer browsing

  • Leaves, flowers, buds, and small branches less than an inch in diameter are cut off.
  • Plant parts are torn off leaving ragged edges
  • Feeding occurs from the ground to about 6 feet
2 of 3
  • Image: 1
  • Image: 2
  • Image: 2

Rabbit

  • 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
3 of 3
  • Image: 1
  • Image: 2
  • Image: 2

Voles

  • 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 info on controlling voles

Don't see what you're looking for?