I have many trees that have recovered from 2022-2023 winter being girded completely by rabbits that got above the fencing we had installed to protect it (because the snow was so deep for so long). We cut off the girded part of the tree and waited to see if it would make new branches above the trees graph. Most have and are growing more like a bush now. The question I have is, should I cut off all but one of the branches growing up to form the new tree? If I do that, will the one branch grow faster than just leaving multiple branches? I ask because it seems like with many branches, the tree is getting more sunlight then if I trim it down to just one branch. Also, with many branches, it gives the deer more to nibble on (because fencing that high to prevent deer munching can be tough). Or maybe I should trim it down to just a couple of branches...lol I've googled but have been unsuccessful finding anyone talking about the year after and beyond for a girdled tree. The only thing I found was if it sprouted below the graph that you should just remove it since it will not be the tree it was. Or should I leave them more bush like for a few more years and then do the trimming down to one branch? Thanks for any information you can give me on how best to handle these trees (over 16 of them as the rabbits were very hungry that winter...lol). LeAnne