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Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What's wrong with my plant? > Deciduous > Basswood/Linden > Bark chewed or removed

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Basswood/Linden > Trunk/Branches > Bark chewed or removed

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  • Image: Deer rubbing 1
  • Image: Deer rubbing 2
  • Image: Deer rubbing 3

Deer rubbing on young trees

  • Long lines of shredded or peeled off bark along main trunk up to 3 feet off the ground from antler rubbing. Wood may appear shiny or "polished"
  • Leaves and small branches (>1 inch in diameter) cut off with a rough or ragged edge (Not a clean cut!)
  • 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 sign of teeth marks
  • More information on deer injury
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  • Image: Rabbit feeding 1
  • Image: Rabbit feeding 2

Rabbit feeding

  • Bark is completely removed from the main trunk
  • Regular scraping the size of a spoon tip can be seen in the wood
  • Small twigs (of suckers) are cleanly cut off with a sharp edge, at a 45 degree angle
  • Damage can occur from ground level to several feet up the trunk depending on the depth of winter snow
  • Majority of damage occurs in winter and early spring
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  • Image: Vole feeding 1
  • Image: Vole feeding 2
  • Image: Vole feeding 3

Vole feeding

  • Bark is completely removed from the main trunk in irregular patches
  • Scraping the size of a fork tine can be seen in exposed wood
  • Damage occurs during winter from the ground level up to winter snow depth
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  • Image: Gray squirrels 1
  • Image: Gray squirrels 2

Gray squirrels

  • Whole leaf sections are removed from branches and dropped to ground
  • Unusual numbers of complete, green leaves laying beneath the tree
  • Damage usually occurs in late spring, early summer
  • In late winter, early spring bark of smaller branches is stripped and left hanging on branch, similar to confetti

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