Best Tree Guards for Rabbits, Mice and Sunscald
On the Prairies and across the northern states, young fruit trees are more often killed by rabbits, voles and winter sun than by cold. A tree guard costs little and can save a tree that took years to establish. The right guard depends on what you are protecting against, how deep your snow gets and how big the trunk is.
How we chose: we have not tested these products hands-on. Recommendations are based on extension guidance on winter protection, manufacturer specifications and published product roundups (see Sources).
The short answer
- Best all-round for young fruit trees: white vinyl spiral tree guards. Cheap, quick to install, they expand with the trunk and reflect winter sun.
- Most chew-proof: a cylinder of 1/4-inch galvanized hardware cloth around the trunk. It lasts a decade or more.
- Against deer as well: tall vented tree tubes, such as Tree Pro shelters, staked in place.
- For sunscald only: crepe paper tree wrap or white latex paint diluted with water. Remove wraps in spring.
Tree guard comparison
| Type | Protects against | Lifespan | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl spiral guard (e.g. A.M. Leonard) | Rabbits, voles, sunscald, string trimmers | Several seasons | Too short for deep snow; can trap moisture if left on all summer |
| Hardware cloth cylinder (1/4 inch mesh) | Rabbits, voles, mice | 10+ years | Must be cut and shaped; does not stop sunscald |
| Vented tree tube (e.g. Tree Pro) | Rodents, deer, trimmers | Many seasons | Needs a stake; can get warm in summer sun |
| Plastic mesh tube | Light rabbit pressure | A few seasons | Determined rodents can chew through |
| Paper tree wrap (e.g. Walter E. Clark) | Sunscald, bark splitting | One winter | Must be removed in spring or it can trap moisture and pests |
Height matters in snow country
Rabbits feed from the top of the snow, so a guard that is tall enough in November may be buried by February. In areas with deep snow, plan for guards to reach well above your typical snow depth: a 60 cm (24 in) guard is a minimum in most northern yards, and 90 cm is safer where drifts build up. Check guards after big storms and stamp down snow around the base if rabbits are climbing drifts to reach the bark.
Do not forget the bottom
Voles and mice tunnel under snow and chew bark at ground level. Push the bottom of spiral guards and mesh cylinders 3 to 5 cm into the soil, or into the mulch, so there is no gap underneath. Pull mulch back a few centimetres from the trunk so rodents do not nest against the bark.
How to make a hardware cloth cylinder
- Cut a piece of 1/4-inch galvanized hardware cloth about 60 to 90 cm tall and long enough to wrap the trunk with a 3 to 5 cm gap all around.
- Roll it into a cylinder and fasten the edge with wire or zip ties.
- Slip it over the tree and push the bottom into the soil.
- Wear gloves; cut edges are sharp.
Leave a gap between mesh and trunk so the bark is not rubbed and air can circulate. Check each spring and enlarge cylinders as trunks grow.
Sunscald protection
Sunscald damages the south and southwest side of thin-barked young trees on bright late-winter days. White spiral guards and paper wraps both help by reflecting sun. Another option is painting the lower trunk with white interior latex paint diluted about half and half with water. Iowa State University Extension lists sunscald, rodents and deer among the main winter threats to young trees and recommends protection in fall.
When to put guards on and take them off
- Put them on in October, before the first snow and before rabbits run short of food.
- Remove spiral guards and wraps in spring once snow is gone, so the bark can dry out and insects do not shelter underneath. Mesh cylinders can stay year-round if loose.
- Keep protecting trees for at least five years, until the bark thickens.
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Gear that helps
- Spiral tree guards: Quick, expandable protection against rabbits and sunscald.
- Hardware cloth: Make chew-proof cylinders that last for years.
- Tree wrap: Seasonal sunscald protection for thin-barked trunks.
- Tree tube shelters: Tall vented tubes that also stop deer.
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Keep reading
- How to protect fruit trees from winter damage
- Best apple trees for the Prairies
- Growing haskap berries
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best tree guard for rabbits?
A 1/4-inch hardware cloth cylinder is the most chew-proof. Vinyl spiral guards also work well if they are tall enough to stay above the snow.
How tall should a tree guard be?
At least 60 cm in most northern yards, and about 90 cm where snow drifts build up, because rabbits feed from the top of the snow.
Should tree guards be removed in summer?
Remove spiral guards and paper wraps in spring so bark can dry and insects do not shelter underneath. Loose mesh cylinders can stay year-round.
Do tree guards prevent sunscald?
White spiral guards and paper wraps help by reflecting winter sun. Diluted white latex paint on the lower trunk is another option.
