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Rabbit damaged juniper #923022

Asked December 21, 2025, 11:55 AM EST

Good morning- Rabbits have severely damaged several young junipers. I originally had 18” fences around each tree. Since the damage, I’ve added a 30” hardware cloth barrier, that seems to be working. Do you think the damaged areas of the trees will recover? Thanks for your help.

Dakota County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for writing.
Hardware cloth is the correct approach.
You do not include pictures.
Any trunk that is more than half girdled will probably die.
Peripheral twigs have good regeneration potential.
Wait until spring.
https://plantdetectives.com/pages/the-juniper-guide?srsltid=AfmBOoqCQUqNG_O6VNwDnmhU3YuuMDkpaNU4R-0fYe8pwYAUnaXb6ljj

Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I am a human being, not a bot nor AI). I am an avid gardener but am not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I am happy to receive follow-up questions if my responses are incomplete or unclear. This is the University of MN' garden soil testing service. https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is guidance on how to find a tree expert. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Replied December 21, 2025, 12:34 PM EST

Thanks for the speedy response, Steve. I thought I included a picture. I’ve attached one now.

Linda

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 21, 2025, at 11:34 AM, Ask Extension wrote:

The Question Asker Replied December 21, 2025, 1:00 PM EST

Thanks for writing back. Nasty.
But do not despair, there is a form of Bonzai that can be done with junipers. It is called Niwaki.
Look the term up.
Here is an idea. https://www.bonsaigalinou.com/en/blog/niwaki-japanese-style-pruning-garden-trees-n28?srsltid=AfmBOoqV9lO3-tM335Tc8gn7-YjPj0GkWhS9bCWt5woTyXCK5uUog4fg
It's quite entertaining to do.

Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I am a human being, not a bot nor AI). I am an avid gardener but am not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I am happy to receive follow-up questions if my responses are incomplete or unclear. This is the University of MN' garden soil testing service. https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is guidance on how to find a tree expert. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Replied December 21, 2025, 1:46 PM EST

Thanks so much. I’m encouraged!

Linda
Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 21, 2025, at 12:46 PM, Ask Extension wrote:

The Question Asker Replied December 21, 2025, 2:20 PM EST

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This work is supported in part by New Technologies for Ag Extension grant no. 2020-41595-30123 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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