Rabbits and hares
Source: gov.uk (2025-10-30)

Learn more about protecting trees from the European hare (Lepus europaeus), mountain hare (Lepus timidus) and European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Area and status

Area

Of the 3 lagomorph species in the UK, only the mountain hare is native.

European rabbits and brown hares were introduced to Britain between 950 and 2,000 years ago, respectively. Mountain hares are confined to the Scottish Uplands and the English Peak District and are listed as ‘near threatened’ on the UK Red List of Mammal Species (https://static1.squarespace.com/static/654a3265fcbd755384b0552f/t/655c9bfee98bfc546f62b429/1700568063223/MS_RL20_Britain.pdf). European rabbits and brown hares are found across most of the country.

European rabbits are the most common, with around 36 million in the UK. However, their population has fallen 43% since 1996, mainly due to the spread of rabbit haemorrhagic disease, a highly infectious and lethal form of viral hepatitis.

Status

European rabbits are classed as pests under the Pests Act 1954 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/2-3/68/contents). Landowners have a responsibility to take action to prevent them from causing damage.

Associated treescapes

Types of treescapes where this mammal is typically found, along with the level of presence in different treescapes.

European hare:
- lowland broadleaved woodland (https://woodlandwildlifetoolkit.sylva.org.uk/advice-types-broadleaf) (frequently found)
- wood pasture, parkland, and orchards (https://woodlandwildlifetoolkit.sylva.org.uk/advice-types-broadleaf) (frequently found)
Mountain hare:
- upland broadleaved woodland (https://woodlandwildlifetoolkit.sylva.org.uk/advice-types-broadleaf) (most common).
European rabbit:
- lowland broadleaved woodland (https://woodlandwildlifetoolkit.sylva.org.uk/advice-types-broadleaf) (frequently found)
- wood pasture, parkland, and orchards (https://woodlandwildlifetoolkit.sylva.org.uk/advice-types-broadleaf) (most common)
Ecosystem services and impacts on biodiversity

There is limited information on how lagomorphs benefit trees and woodland, as they are commonly associated with open habitats. However, in Breckland Special Protection Area (SPA) in Norfolk and Suffolk (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rabbits-help-rare-species-and-unique-norfolk-and-suffolk-habitat), European rabbits help grassland and heathland biodiversity by disturbing the ground and creating diverse ecological niches. All 3 species are important prey for native carnivorous mammals and birds of prey.

Guidance from the Forestry Commission (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/using-natural-colonisation-for-the-creation-of-new-woodland) states that rabbits and hares must be “closely controlled or eliminated” to allow for the natural colonisation of non-wooded areas to occur.

Identification and assessment of damage and risk to trees

European rabbits most commonly strip bark from beech and ash. They prefer to browse on the seedlings and young trees of birch, which can limit regeneration or stunt growth. Both European rabbits and brown hares have been observed to impede the reestablishment of hazel in coppices.

How to identify damage:
- rabbit damage is typically below 50cm on the tree
- hare damage is typically below 70cm on the tree
- young trees are most affected, though trees from seedling to pole-stage can be damaged
- rabbits tend to browse outward from cover
- hares often browse along a row of trees
Managing rabbits and hares in the landscape

Rabbits

Widespread use

Lethal control: shooting, poisoning and gassing, and ferreting (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/protecting-trees-from-mammal-damage-technical-guidance/managing-mammals-in-the-landscape#lethal-control).

Gassing should be carried out by professionals (in accordance with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002).

Hares

Widespread use

Lethal control: shooting (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/protecting-trees-from-mammal-damage-technical-guidance/managing-mammals-in-the-landscape#shoot).

Modifying rabbit and hare access to trees

Rabbits

Widespread use

Physical exclusion from an area: fencing (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/protecting-trees-from-mammal-damage-technical-guidance/modifying-mammal-access-to-trees#exclusion-from-an-area).

Occasional use

Physical exclusion from an individual tree or shoot: tree shelters, spirals, guards, and tubes (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/protecting-trees-from-mammal-damage-technical-guidance/modifying-mammal-access-to-trees#tree-shelters).

Vegetation management deterrents: vegetation control to reduce cover (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/protecting-trees-from-mammal-damage-technical-guidance/modifying-mammal-access-to-trees#vegetation).

Hares

Widespread use

Physical exclusion from an area: fencing (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/protecting-trees-from-mammal-damage-technical-guidance/modifying-mammal-access-to-trees#exclusion-from-an-area).

Occasional use

Physical exclusion from an individual tree or shoot: tree shelters, spirals, guards, and tubes (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/protecting-trees-from-mammal-damage-technical-guidance/modifying-mammal-access-to-trees#tree-shelters).

Managing trees in the landscape

Rabbits and hares

Occasional use

Adapting planting pattern and choice: planting diverse tree species (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/protecting-trees-from-mammal-damage-technical-guidance/managing-trees-in-the-landscape#diverse).

Additional information, guidance and resources

Case studies, trials, and scientific research

Back from the Brink Project (https://naturebftb.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Shifting-Sands-Techniques-to-encourage-European-rabbit-recovery-summary-sheetupdated.pdf): the role of European rabbits on the distinctive Breckland ecosystem of East Anglia.

Support, advice, and guidance

Natural England

How to control European rabbit numbers using traps, snares, and other methods (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rabbits-how-to-control-numbers).

Forest Research

The prevention of European rabbit damage to trees in woodland (https://cdn.forestresearch.gov.uk/1998/01/fcpn2.pdf).