Hares and mice are especially active in winter – they can feed on bark in fairly large quantities.
This is harmful to the tree and the removal of bark is especially dangerous in winter for the seedling, which is left without essential protection and without the possibility of recovery.
It is believed that compacted snow helps against mice, but an experienced gardener knows that mice easily gnaw through logs and snow is definitely not an obstacle for them.
Let us turn to the recommendations of the scientist, agronomist and expert of the online publication Belnovosti, Anastasia Kovrizhnykh.
The lower part of the seedlings can be covered with hard cardboard (tar paper) and secured with twine.
Old nylon tights, sunflower stems, wormwood and raspberry shoots are also suitable.
Tying the trunks will partially protect the tree from frost, strong winds and sunburn in the spring.
As for chemistry, you can use granular rodenticides, which act as toxic bait.
Earlier we wrote about what to do if tomato seedlings have become elongated.