Hi there. Tough winter for the rabbits. They resorted to eating the bark off of a good portion of my bushes. What I'd like to ask about though, is about the small red maple and harry lauder bush I'd planted last summer. The rabbits could only reach the top third of these plants, but ate all the bark and all the small branches off the maple. Any way they'll be able to survive? Anything I can do to help them? Thanks for any answers forthcoming!

the good news is the rabbits did not eat the bark off down to the ground. You will end up pruning off any branches on the walking stick once spring happens and it is clear what is alive and what is not. Every branch may leaf out but those with damage may fail soon. Re-shape the plant back into its natural shape. The same goes for the Red Maple PLUS you will have to train a new leader as is supposed to have a central leader. New buds will likely sprout out just below the feeding damage. Carefully train one of the better sprouts into a new leader. It would be a good idea to protect the maple until it develops thicker bark each wither.