Help, hares/rabbits damaging newly planted trees

O

Optimistic

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hi, We planted a hedge of 260 trees two weeks ago and 70/80 more mature trees at the same time, a mix of fruit and maple, oak, beech, rowan, dogwood etc

I took a look at them all yesterday and saw that a rabbit or hare had nibbled the bark off one oak tree 1/2 to 2/3 way round up a few inches. Saw the same on some others.

I know there is a hare in the field and surrounding fields and obviously there are rabbits (we live in the countryside).

Are there any steps I can take to keep them away? I don't want to see the trees killed with what we spent on them :) I put some protective kind wrap around stuff for trees on the bigger trees yesterday that my mum gave , but if they get stuck in the hedge they would do for the lot off them in no time.
Thanks, optimistic
 
Had the same problem a few years ago. The culprits were hares and their diet of choice were my quince trees. They stood on their back legs and denuded the branches of their leaves up to as far as they could reach. A sight to behold from our breakfast table! The solution was to put chicken wire around the shrubs. As you've got lots, it might be easier to put a row of stronger wire netting on both sides. Or maybe a dumbed down electric fence.
 
try wrapping a few inches of land drainage pipe around the base of each tree
 
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