Archive:Poplar/Vertebrate Damage

From Bugwoodwiki

From: Ostry, Michael E.; Wilson, Louis F.; McNabb, Harold S., Jr.; Moore, Lincoln M. 1988. A guide to insect, disease, and animal pests of poplars. Agric. Handb. 677. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture. 118 p.

Importance

Bark-eating mammals can damage stems and shoots. They may kill trees by girdling stems neat the ground.

Look For:

• Bark hanging in shreds on tree stems.

• Small teeth marks on exposed wood at or near the ground line.

• Large notches where bark has been removed on tree stem.

• Small stems cut off near ground line.

• Upper shoots of small trees nipped off.

Deer browsing damage

Mouse-girdle tree.

Biology

Young trees are especially susceptible to damage by bark-eating mammals during winter. Rabbits frequently clip young shoots during winters of heavy snowfall when other browse is scarce. Tall grass and other heavy ground cover around trees increase the likelihood of damage by mice and voles feeding on the bark during winter, especially in years of large populations. Stems are injured by big game animals rubbing their antlers on them or by gnawing or stripping bark off trees with their incisor teeth. Secondary fungi often enter trees through wounds caused by animals, compounding the damage.

Control

• Good grass control will minimize damage by mice and voles.

• Apply physical barriers around tree stems to discourage small mammals from feeding.

• Apply repellents to protect trees in plantations and nurseries by discouraging animals from feeding on them. Some animals prefer certain clones, so do not plant favored clones in areas where animal damage is common.

Rabbit Damage

Deer Rub.

For Additional Information:

Dickmann, D.I. 1978. Marked differences among poplar clones in winter browsing damage by cottontail rabbits. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 8: 351-354.

Verch, Richard L. 1979. Feeding preference of penned white-tailed deer for hybrid poplar clones. Res. Note NC-248. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station. 2 p.