Who is chewing my rose cane?

11 years ago

I suddenly noticed areas on three parts of various large old canes of my Belle Portugaise that look as if someone had been chewing on them (or a cat sharpening its claws, or a deer rubbing its antlers, neither of which are possible). The places are about 8-9 feet off the ground. We do not have any rabbits, let alone house climbing ones. We do have lots of squirrels that use the canes as highways, but that has been the case for years, and I have never seen this sort of damage before.

I sprayed the damaged areas with "critter go-away" spray, and my DH is dreaming up some sort of physical barrier, but I have miles of this sort of rose canes, so I would like to know who is doing this. Any ideas?

Jackie

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Comments (12)

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
11 years ago
Do you have a mow-blow guy who waves his weed whipper around over his head?!? That's really strange!
michaelg
11 years ago
Boris and Natasha?
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rosefolly
11 years ago
>>Boris and Natasha
LOL

Jackie, I have no idea. That really looks odd.

Rosefolly
jerijen
11 years ago
It DOES look odd.
And if it was at ground level, I'd think it might well be wead-eater damage.

But this is far too high, so the only thing I can think of is, if these canes are at all able to move in high winds. If so, could this damage be caused by one cane rubbing violently against another???

Jeri
jacqueline9CA
Original Author
11 years ago
Drat! I was hoping someone would say "That is the infamous rose cane rubbing__________". Oh, well. Jeri - good suggestion from the picture I posted. However, it is also happening on this nearby cane, which has no other cane touching it. There are also a few other spots further up where it is starting to happen.

I am contemplating a hidden camera --

Jackie
jerijen
11 years ago
Jackie, I can only think of two possibilities, and I doubt you'll like either of them:

1. Squirrels
or
2. Rats.

Both can climb.

We have had damage on our epiphyllums from one or the other (or both) -- and it happens when conditions heat up and dry out, and other food/moisture sources diminish.

This time of the year, Clay puts out traps, getting them ready, and setting them out toward bedtime, when squirrels and birds have gone to bed at night. That's when he catches Mickey and Minnie.

Jeri
jacqueline9CA
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks, Jeri. I had thought of that too, although our garden has a plethora of water (4 birdbaths, 3 of which are at ground level), and food (birdseed & ripe figs, plums, etc). I attribute it to some critter just being contrary!

Jackie
lisanti07028
11 years ago
Do you have groundhogs where you are? Those little ******** can climb, and they like to chow down on my roses.
nanadollZ7 SWIdaho
11 years ago
This is a long shot, but could it be some kind of bird going after insects? I'm no bird expert, but I thought of flickers or possibly even woodpeckers. A rabid robin?? Diane
jacqueline9CA
Original Author
11 years ago
No groundhogs. We do have small woodpeckers, but I have never seen them attack a rose cane, although obviously anything is possible.

Jackie
rosefolly
11 years ago
I hope you find out. I am intensely curious.

If you just want to stop it, you could experiment with spraying the canes with the kind of bad tasting repellant used to prevent bored horses from chewing the wood of their stalls. In a non-rainy climate you shouldn't have to repeat it very frequently.
michaelg
11 years ago
Any new info?

Who is chewing my rose cane?

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