What is recommended to protect valuable young trees from rabbits, particularly when snow is present?

• A. Cylinders of 1/4-inch mesh hardware cloth extending above snow depth and out from the trunk
• B. Plastic tree guards only
• C. Tall solid wooden guards without mesh
• D. Netting wrapped around the entire tree trunk

Answer: (A)

The idea is to block rabbits from reaching the bark of young trees during winter by using a solid barrier that stays in place around the trunk. A cylinder made of hardware cloth with a fine mesh works best because it creates a continuous shield around the trunk.

Using a cylinder of 1/4-inch mesh hardware cloth provides a tough, chew-resistant barrier that rabbits can’t bite through. It protects the trunk all the way up from the base and, crucially, is tall enough to extend above snow depth so rabbits can’t reach over or crawl under as the snow piles up. Extending the barrier outward from the trunk also helps prevent gaps at the edge where a rabbit might squeeze in.

Other options don’t offer the same reliable protection in deep snow. Plastic guards can be chewed or displaced, wooden guards without a mesh could allow gnawing to reach bark or trap moisture around the trunk, and netting wrapped around the trunk can shift, leave gaps, or be circumvented by the rabbit’s movements. The hardware cloth cylinder combines a sturdy barrier with a tight mesh that specifically targets the way rabbits reach and gnaw in winter.