Vole Damage at the Base of a Cherry Tree

Sudden mid-summer wilting and death of a cherry tree often signals vole girdling at the base. Look for small droppings under mulch. Voles chew bark all around the trunk, cutting off nutrient flow. Control voles with hardware cloth barriers, traps, or habitat reduction (remove heavy mulch against trunks). Early detection is critical—once the tree flags, it's usually too late.