Knowledgebase

Will my serviceberry survive? #928048

Asked April 10, 2026, 5:25 PM EDT

Hi, I planated this autumn brilliance serviceberry last spring. The rabbit damage goes all the way around the tree. It's probably 10-12 feet tall. If I cut off the tree below the damage, will it survive? I'd like to keep the serviceberry a single stem, or at least encourage it to grow tall rather than wide. Thank you!

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi Christine, 

Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, the rabbit damage looks quite extensive for the tree. You could try cutting it to the ground, but given it is only one large stem, that might be too stressful for the tree. You might also wish to wait a few weeks and see if it starts to leaf out. It might be resilient enough to recover. 

If it does, for next winter, make sure to protect it with some hardware cloth. There are more helpful tips here: https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/protecting-trees-and-shrubs-winter 

Good luck, and do not hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions. 

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 10, 2026, 6:35 PM EDT

Loading ...