Question
In southern Arizona, I planted an approximate 5 ft tall Chilean mesquite two weeks ago.  Noticed today that rabbits are eating the bark on one side of the tree only, thus far.   It is peeled about 8 or 9 inches high and half the tree trunk, which is still small. Will the tree survive [we now have a wire cage around the trunk]?  Is there anything we can put on the peeled trunk?

Answer
As long as the bark was not chewed all the way around the trunk the tree will be ok. I would remove any loose bark so the wound will heal faster. I would also water the tree once a week with 1 inch of water--place a pan under the tree and turn the sprinkler on and when the pan has 1 inch of water in it stop. Do this if it does not rain.