I had a squirrel do this to one of my Juniperus virginiana building his nest. Once they pick up on this there is no way to stop them short of a 177 cal. pellet.

Dave

Lots of squirrels around there, so that could be it. Are the trees goners, then?

Depends on whether they've stripped off the inner bark as well as the outer bark. If both, then the trees are gonners; if just the outer, then they will recover. These pics aren't clear enough to tell, can you post some very close-up pics?

Resin

Seems squirrel might be the cause of my P.s 'Watereri' damage from two nights ago. Is it going to be vulnerable to further attentions?

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Usually they just peal off outer bark as it removes easily. Squirrels are such odd balls. Once in a while one comes along that is very destructive.. Single him out and get rid of him.

Severnside...that looks like rabbit damage to me. Your plant in the photo doesn't show how high off the ground the damage is so just a guess. Although rabbits can stand on their hind feet to gnaw bark off. Should recover if damage does not go clear around trunk. You should wire cage it for further protection.

Dave

Dave, I would actually hope it was rabbit rather than squirrel because you can't fence off the latter. But never had signs of rabbit in the garden, no droppings ever, though I back onto woodland. I do get a periodic squirrel at the birdfood and hear them calling a lot.

The damage is about 18" - 24" off the ground. I'm planning to rotate the tree - still freshly planted - so the damage is rearwards, but have to live under the threat of repeat unfortunately.

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Just to pick up on your point about recovery Dave, I was going to cut the branch off below the damage to prevent disease, is that not really necessary? Unfortunately the critter removed every possible substitute growth branchlet and it will be disfigured for the long term, hence the rotation.

Yes, just cut the branch off.

Dave

Will do, with regret. Thanks.

Around her that looks like what a dear would do. Any in your area.

Around her that looks like what a dear would do. Any in your area.

A few and they've done damage before, but I've blocked off their narrow access avenue up the steep slope with a pile of thorny brash and logs. Also as there was no other damage to plants en route I can't think a deer would be so limited and specific.

Severnside, looks like a deer rub to me even as low as it is. A rabbit wouldn't leave such a rough scar. They eat what they nibble off. Usually lower too.
Mike

Severnside, looks like a deer rub to me even as low as it is. A rabbit wouldn't leave such a rough scar. They eat what they nibble off. Usually lower too.
Mike

Maybe Mike, but no other damage when last time they cropped lots of plants and this is in a corner of the garden when they could have worked on the wild slope plantings at their leisure, just doesn't add up this time.