Amazing what we can learn from rabbits. My ancestors also had experience with girdled trees. Apparently, back in the 1700s huge stands of virgin trees were cleared by girdling in an effort to clear road ways. There is a story that my French ancestors in upper New York State attempted to move west by wagon train. They entered an roadway that had been cut through girdled trees, that began falling on the wagons in the train. One of my ancestors had to scout out the area beyond the girdled trees to find a safe route through the girdled forest. Lesson. Large girdled trees can be dangerous. Thanks for the post. Girdling is an old technique that is still relevant today.
