rabbit problem

we've an orchard with about 60 young apple trees. The rabbits have stripped the bark off the trunks. Can anyone give me some advise on how to tackle this problem and has anyone heard of painting the trunks with lime??

 

nice idea, jwk. Ill try that one out, thanks

 

For your lime question - they paint it on to stop the bark getting 'sunstroke' and it also stops parasites getting into the bark. At least that's why they do it round here.

 

thanks, l-i-f, I'll bear that in mind

 

Shotgun rabbit pie,yum yum you could also make your own guides from mesh rapped round the trees ,leaving a gap between the trunk and wire.

 

Yes shotgun and pie is the way to go. My oh was up early today trying to see through the thick mist.

 

I agree with this, I have several re-planted woodland areas close to me and all saplings are protected with these. You can see how successful they are when you see the established trees bursting out of their protective wrap.

 

Not really of much use in this instance but of interest maybe to others is this - my Gramp used to grow Lavender amongst and around edible crops that were attractive to rabbits to deter them. He had a lot of bunnies coming in from the council owned land next to his plot but they would not allow him to ferret the warrens out. He could usually go to his shed with a cup of tea and shoot a rabbit for the table before his cuppa got cold!

 

Rabbits ate my Lavender.

 

Another myth busted then!

 

Try Lupins, rabbits demolished everything in my previous garden except these.