Apple trees stripped!

[Cassiepod]

little blighters! I'm not a happy camper.

I keep two (young) apple trees in half barrels beseide my front door. I noticed this morning the rabbits have stripped the bark of fthe bottom two foot of their trunks(probably because we're still under a tickish layer of snow). Everything else of value in the garden is behind a rabbit proof fence. However these two I assumed were safe.

The question is:
Do you think they will survive this awful treatment?
If so what can I do to aid their recovery?

Many thanks, Cassie

[Shirley]

Is it all the way around? I am not sure whether you can do anything but just know that this happened to some of ours many years ago and they all died

Our goats have chewed a lot of bark from our apple trees but it's not all the way round and they've survived so far (yes, the goats too!)

[Ellendra]

If its all the way around, you have to move fast to save the tree. If you can graft a bridge of fresh bark over the stripped area, it might give the rest of the tree enough nutrients to stay alive.

Or, you might be able to take cuttings and get them to root into new trees.

A tree that's been stripped has only a slim chance, even with the best of help. Good luck!

[pumpy]

You could try applying grease to the trees(if not too late). It should'nt harm the tree further, but will certainly deter the pesky blighters! Alternatively,in the future, why not put a protective plastic shroud round the stems, as you see 'em planted on the motor-ways.

[Cassiepod]

All the way round and all the way up for a bout the height of a rabbit on its back paws... I might try and put som pipe insulation round tonight to protect from the cold at least find a tree to cannibalise tomorrow morning.

[pumpy]

Hi Cassie, i don't wish to seem a merchant of doom, but........ if your garden is frequented by squirrels, then they will nick the young apples anyway. ( the buggers do in our garden !).

[Cassiepod]

We live in a red squirrel area so that would be a complete delight. I've had these trees for three years now in exactly the same siutation I think it must be the snow cover and lack of food that has caused it. Fingers crossed a new bark layer might help.

[fruitcake]

argh - rabbits - hate 'em. Only any good for feeding the cat or stuffing in the pot!!!!!!!!! I've ended up puting tree spirals / chicken wire / bits of drain pipe round all my trees including those that will eventually be the hedge. They eat everything here.

You have my full sympathies - I hope your trees survive.

We're also in a red squirrel area - we've got 3 that come every day to the bird feeders outside the office window.

[Cassiepod]

Wow! you are so lucky!

[Millymollymandy]

Harumph! I thought so too until they nicked my walnuts!.