Winter in Southeast Michigan is magical—snowy lawns, frosty mornings, and… oh, my...deer treating your arborvitae like an all-you-can-eat salad bar. Rabbits sharpening their teeth on your fruit trees. Voles throwing underground dinner parties. Before you know it, your yard can start to feel a little like Dorothy wandering into the forest—except instead of lions and tigers and bears, YOU might be whispering: “Rabbits and rodents and deer… oh my!” But don’t worry—Safari Tree has your back.
As snow piles up, natural food sources disappear, and suddenly your trees become the star of the neighborhood wildlife buffet. That’s when things get interesting—and when you need a game plan. So, grab your metaphorical ruby slippers and take a stroll with us down the Yellow Brick Road of winter tree protection—Safari Tree style.
Yes, we’re having fun…
Yes, we’re also being serious.
And yes, your trees will thank you.
In this blog we'll break down what critters are up to, how they can harm your trees, and what YOU can do (right now!) to keep your winter landscape safe. Let’s dive in!
When the ground freezes and plants go dormant, animals look for easy, accessible food. Unfortunately… your trees are perfect targets. Even more sad, here in Southeast Michigan—where long stretches of snow cover are common—these issues can escalate quickly. Here are some of the common sings of winter damage from the woodland creatures:
Each animal has its own “signature move,” and Southeast Michigan has several repeat offenders. Just like Dorothy, homeowners in Southeast Michigan sometimes find themselves tip‑toeing through winter wondering what, more that who is lurking around their trees. Instead of lions and tigers and bears, our local cast of characters includes:
And they all come out when winter hits hard.
Rabbits stay active all winter, especially during deep snow and they LOVE snacking on the tender inner bark of young trees. Rabbits feed on bark, twigs, and buds.They chew low on the trunk—usually no higher than two feet or at snow level—and leave behind clean 45° angled cuts on twigs, this is their signature mark.
If rabbits chew all the way around a trunk (called girdling), the tree can no longer move nutrients… and it sadly the tree dies. Young fruit trees, redbuds, serviceberries, and flowering shrubs are especially at risk. So be sure to check on your trees during the winter!
These tiny rodents do the most damage under the snow, where they hide and chew bark at the base of trees, burrow through mulch to feast on roots, and chew roots where the trees store nutrients. Mice and voles are quiet, quick, and persistent—your trees never hear them coming.This hidden winter damage can cause slow decline or death of the tree and unfortunately their damage often isn’t visible until spring.
Deer winter damage falls into two categories:
1. Browsing (Eating Foliage): Deer are notorious winter foragers, and when food is scarce, they’ll happily browse on evergreens—especially arborvitae and pines—eating lower branches and gnawing twigs as they search for anything edible.
2. Antler Rubbing: During late fall and winter, bucks scrape their antlers against tree trunks, stripping bark and sometimes causing girdling, which can severely weaken or even kill young trees if the bark is removed in a complete circle.
These behaviors peak in late fall and winter—exactly when your trees need protection most.
Squirrels may look cute doing parkour across your yard, but in winter they can cause serious trouble for your trees. While deer and rabbits grab most of the spotlight, squirrels are quietly doing their own brand of mischief — and Michigan yards see plenty of it. When their usul food socurces run low, they turn to the next easiest option: your tree bark, buds, and branches.
Squirrels cause harm mostly by chewing off patches of bark, particularly on younger or thin‑barked trees. They do this because they are trying to eat the sweet, nutrient‑rich inner layer beneath called the phloem.A few other damages they can cause are and what to look for are:
Over time, this can:
Squirrels are active all year long — including the heart of winter — so the risk never fully disappears.
Woodpeckers arrive with a tap‑tap‑tap and leave behind their trademark calling card: neatly spaced rows of holes drilled into your tree.Unfortunately, repeated drilling weakens trunks and invites disease, decay, and eventually could lead to killing the tree. Here's what to look for:
They're protected by law, so prevention (not removal) is the only legal approach.
How to Use Them Effectively
Bonus Tip: Opt for white tree guards — they reflect winter sun and help protect trunks from sunscald, a common cold‑season injury.
2. Use Fencing for High-Risk Areas
3.Clean Up the “Yellow Brick Road” (Your Yard!)
Squirrels often leap from structures or nearby trees. Trimming branches back 8–10 feet away from roofs and other trees reduces access.
4. Apply Repellents
Repellents work by making your tree’s bark smell or taste unappealing to wildlife.
For deer:
Odor‑based repellents are especially useful. They deter deer well, but you must reapply them after snow, rain, or heavy moisture for continued protection.
For rabbits, mice, and squirrels:
Commercial repellents with strong odors or bitter tastes help discourage chewing. These work best when paired with physical barriers like tree guards or fencing for a one‑two punch of protection.
5. Wrap or Burlap Small Evergreens
Give your young evergreens and delicate shrubs a cozy winter coat by wrapping them in burlap or breathable mesh. This simple step provides big protection through the harsh Michigan winter.
Wrapping shields plants from:
Cover small evergreens, sensitive shrubs, and ornamentals with burlap or mesh from late fall through winter. Wrap loosely so air can circulate, but securely enough to keep wildlife out and branches protected.
What To Do If Damage Already Happened
Minor Bark Scraping (Not Fully Girdled)
Good news — trees can usually recover from light bark damage. Give them support by watering well in spring and reducing stress throughout the growing season.
Partial Girdling
If bark is removed from only part of the trunk, the tree will need professional care. Give us a call — in some cases, a certified arborist can help with techniques like:
Full Girdling (Bark Removed All the Way Around)
Unfortunately, when bark is stripped in a complete circle, the tree can no longer move nutrients up and down the trunk. In most cases, the tree cannot survive, and replacement is recommended.
There’s No Place Like a Protected Home (Landscape)
Winter wildlife is a natural (and charming!) part of Southeast Michigan’s ecosystem — but that doesn’t mean your trees should become the neighborhood snack bar. With a little preparation, you can enjoy both healthy trees and a lively, wildlife‑friendly yard, without the winter damage.
A smart combination of tree guards, fencing, repellents, winter cleanup, and occasional monitoring goes a long way in keeping your trees protected and your critters wild and away from your bark.
Give your trees a little love now, and they’ll reward you with strong, healthy growth once spring arrives. And remember — if you’re ever unsure about winter damage or whether a tree can be saved, Safari Tree is always here to help. From diagnosing problems to offering expert protection plans tailored to Southeast Michigan’s unique wildlife pressures, we’re here for every season, every tree.