This does sound like rodent damage.

Hare tend to take bark off a foot or more up the stem
rabbits lower down. voles almost at the root.

If the bark has been removed the whole way round the stem, then I am afraid
your Ceanothus is already dead as it will be 'ring barked'

A tree guard will protect against rabbit but hare can get above the
conventional 45mm height.
The taller ones are absolutely useless for shrubs with breaks from ground
level .

For bushy plants I suggest you try a chemical repellent such as AA Protect.
( if it is still on the market.) we had good results with it on our
commercial contracts. It does look like white paint which can be unsightly
in the garden

www.arghamvillage.co.uk






Barry & Iris McCanna wrote in message
...
We have just discovered one of our shrubs, a late-flowering ceanothus,
dying on one side. On searching there has been a neat removal of the
bark right round the trunk near the base. It has been completely
stripped off and looks as if it has been cut off with a knife as it is
so perfect! Is this the work of a hare as we do have a couple
around? If so, I'll put a cage round it.

Thanks for any advice.

Iris McCanna

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