the bunnies ate the bark off the bottom of my Lilac tree and now it doesn't have any bloom buds, what do I do?

Question

The bunnies have eaten the bark off the bottom of the Lilac tree and it now does not have any bloom buds, do I cut it back or wait till the first frost, is there a way I can save the tree?

Answer 1

It may recover but you'll need to wait it out and see. If they do nothing this year you can cut them back below the damage and they will likely start regrowing next year.

Answer 2

sevin, mix using instructions on container. on the bitten area to prevent any bugs gettin inside...keep children & pets away from this until dry.............do this after the sun passes over.........wear old long clothes, goggles, gloves and mask..................next day when this dries  use Spectracide pruning seal to protect the bitten area.........makes sure that you shake the can every time you spray, if it clogs up use a fine pin to keep it open. Use some chicken wire and make a cage around the bottom so that the rabbit can't chew it again.  Put some rocks or wooden stakes to keep it in place.  They have those plastic green stakes that you use to hold a tent down at the store.  Rabbits also do not like dried blood meal....it stinks really bad, so use gloves use goggles & mask and sprinkle some around the bush bottom..  In the late fall.....sprinkle some very old horse or cow manure and lime it.  The lime sweetens the soil.