Wildlife is an essential and vital part of the natural ecosystem, contributing to biodiversity, maintaining ecological balances through pest control and pollination. However, some wildlife animals can cause significant damage to trees and shrubs, particularly in urban, suburban, and agricultural settings. Whether through browsing, bark stripping, digging, or gnawing, wildlife can compromise tree health and structural integrity. Many wildlife species can entirely kill or severely destroyed trees and shrubs in very short period of time. Beaver can remove many large trees just within few days. It’s crucial to understand the behavior and feeding habits of the wildlife species causing the damage. Different species have varying feeding patterns, preferences, and times of activity.
Before implementing control measures, check local wildlife protection laws. Some species are protected, and certain deterrents may be restricted. Ethical considerations should also be taken into account; the goal should be coexistence rather than eradication
Common wildlife damages
Several wildlife species are known for causing damage to trees and shrubs including:
Deer can cause significant damage and mortalities to trees and shrubs , especially on newly planted young trees and shrubs. They damage trees by browsing on foliage, twigs, and bark. Their browsing can severely disfigure larger trees especially fruit trees. Male deer may also damage bark by rubbing their antlers. Deer often feed on the few coniferous tree’s foliage on the lower branches of arborvitae and young pine seedlings. Most of spruce, fir and few pine trees are not favourite coniferous. Most of young fruit, and hardwood species are browsed by deer especially when food is scarce.
Moose diet is primarily consisting of woody material such young trees and shrubs. Moose can completely destroyed young trees and shrubs within your property especially in area where their populations are high. One of the most common forms of moose damage is browsing, where they feed on twigs, buds, and leaves but also heavy weight can snap young saplings or bending them. Young trees, particularly species such as pine, aspen, willow, and birch, are especially vulnerable. Moose also strip bark from trees, which can cause severe injuries. Repeated browsing can weaken trees over time, making them more susceptible to disease, pests, and poor structural development.
Porcupine feed on buds, twigs, and leaves during summertime, but during the winter they feed on the inner bark of trees and completely girdling trees causing tree mortality. Porcupines consume a wide range of trees and shrubs, with a preference for pine, tamarack, spruce, poplar, willows and maple. Significant damage occurs when a porcupine completely girdles a tree’s trunk or branches, stripping away the sapwood.
Rabbits gnaw on bark, especially in winter when food is scarce, leading to girdling and plant death.
Rodents (Mice and Voles) – They chew bark, roots, and stems, which can kill young trees and shrubs. Vole damage typically occurs to the lawn and becomes apparent when the snow melts. Several narrow, meandering pathways appear on the lawn. Mice and other small rodents can also damage trees, and shrubs by eating the crowns of perennials or chewing the bark from trees and shrubs.
Beaver is known as an “ecosystem engineer” because of the benefits their dams provide to biological diversity and ecosystem function. It also is considered a “keystone species” because of its ability to transform its environment, providing new habitats upon which other species depend. The scale and scope of beaver damage to human resources are dependent on many factors including floodplain size, water availability, beaver population size, and juxtaposition of beavers and humans. These animals fell trees and shrubs to build their lodges and dams, significantly altering landscapes.
Management and Control
Below are outlined various methods to reduce wildlife damage to trees but none are completely effective, and some can be very expensive (fencing). Combining several methods often yields the best results, ensuring that trees and shrubs remain healthy and thriving despite the challenges posed by wildlife.
Physical Barriers
One of the most effective methods to protect trees and shrubs from wildlife damage is the use of physical barriers. These barriers can come in various forms:
- Fencing– Erecting fences around vulnerable areas can be an effective way to keep larger animals like deer, elk, and moose at bay. Deer fencing that are at least 8 feet high is necessary to keep deer out, as they can easily jump shorter fences. An electric fence can be used in agricultural settings for added effectiveness. Rabbit and rodent fencing consist of a mesh wire fence (1/4-inch hardware cloth) around individual trees or garden areas can prevent small mammals from reaching plants. Beaver mesh wire or tree guards wrapped around tree trunks can prevent beaver damage.
- Tree Guards -Installing plastic tree guards or wire mesh wraps placed around the base of young trees can protect against rodents, rabbits, other small animal, and deer rubbing. These guards can be made of materials like plastic, metal, or mesh. These should be checked regularly to ensure they are not restricting tree growth.
- Netting –Using netting over shrubs and smaller trees can protect them from birds and other small animals. Netting should be securely anchored to prevent animals from getting trapped.
Repellents and Deterrents
Various homemade and commercially available deterrents can make trees and shrubs less appealing and distasteful to wildlife. Repellents can be a useful tool in minimizing wildlife damage. They work by making the plants unappealing or distasteful to animals. Chemical repellents contain ingredients that emit unpleasant odors or tastes. Some common active ingredients include capsaicin, putrescent egg solids, and predator urine. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and reapplication. Homemade repellents such as garlic spray, hot pepper spray, or soap bars hung in trees, can deter wildlife. These methods are more environmentally friendly but may require more frequent application. Noise and motion-activated sprinklers, lights, or sound-emitting devices can scare away animals. Wind chimes or aluminum foil strips can deter birds and small mammals.
Habitat modification and encouraging natural predators
Altering the habitat around your trees and shrubs can make the area less attractive to wildlife. Some strategies may include removing attractants such as clearing away food sources like fallen fruit, bird feeders, or pet food that might attract wildlife. Removing dense underbrush and tall grasses can reduce cover for small animals like rabbits and voles, making the area less appealing. Incorporating plant species that are less appealing to wildlife into your landscape can help divert attention away from more vulnerable plants.
Hunting and trapping and relocation
In some cases, hunting, trapping, and relocating problematic wildlife may be necessary. This method should be used as a last resort and in accordance with local wildlife regulations. Professional wildlife control services can provide assistance with humane trapping and relocation.
