Hello!

Thanks for including an image of the damage to this shrub. Yikes! That’s a lot of gnawing on all the branches! Given the length and extent of the damage, I cannot say with certainty that the shrub will survive in its current state. I tend to believe it would struggle.

I cannot tell what shrub it is without the leaves, but the general guidance for shrubs with this much damage is to cut/prune down to the “good” or undamaged bark close to the base of the plant and give it a lot of care with good watering in the warmer seasons. You could also consider a soil test to determine whether or not the shrub has the nutrients it needs to flourish and making amendments as recommended.

From my backyard experience with a nine-bark, pruning to the base eventually resulted in regrowth. Choosing to protect the shrubs with mechanical barriers has helped eliminate rabbit damage during the colder months and allows the shrub to experience growth cycles. 

Sources:

https://northerngardener.org/rabbit-damage/

https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/animal_damage_meadow_voles_and_rabbits_and_abiotic_injury

https://mntca.umn.edu/sites/mntca.umn.edu/files/files/media/i_thought_rabbits_ate_clover_formatted.pdf

You could also contact a Minnesota Tree Care Advisor Volunteer directly to get additional input about your shrub.

Sincerely,

Julie