If the bark has been removed from the entire trunk circumference, then the tree is pretty much doomed. Always a good idea to protect newly planted trees from predatory damage by voles, rabbits or deer. Damage is often worse in winter than at other times of year.

But it could be worse :-) At least you will have an opportunity to select something better than a callery pear. If you do a search, you will find countless articles both here and elsewhere on the 'net that outlines the problems inherent with these trees.

I’m pretty upset about it. Just the fact that this is the 2nd tree that I have to uproot. I’m in Chicago, and have looked at various tree options but having difficulty settling on one that meets the following:

grows no more than 15’-20’

can withstand high winds we get on occasion

can handle full sun all day

brings beautiful fall colors

if anyone has suggestions I’d like to hear them!

Try here: Morton Arboretum Tree Selector

Protect new trees for several years — high enough so that bunnies standing on deep snow are still deterred (as my cherry tree will attest). Look at Kousa Dogwood.

Critter damage on new trees is always a bummer, but as GG suggested, maybe the bunnies did you a big favor...now you get to pick a tree that's not a Callery Pear!

A few suggestions based on the conditions you listed:

• Crabapple (Not really known for stunning fall color, but some cultivars can be quite nice!)
• Amelanchier x grandiflora 'Autumn Brilliance' (Amelanchiers in my neck of the woods tend to suffer from leaf spot, rust and other issues, but 'Autumn Brilliance' is supposed to be a bit more resistant than the straight species.)
• Cotinus obovatus (Can be difficult to locate at most nurseries, but a stunner if you find one! It also has the potential to grow a bit larger than your 20' limit, but that would be over a long period of time in ideal conditions)
• Cornus kousa (Like Crabapples, the fall color can vary depending on the cultivar, but some are great!)
• Parrotia persica (Some cultivars will outgrow 20' over time for sure, but I believe more compact cultivars are available now)
• Prunus sargentii (The popular cultivars are more compact than the straight species...try 'Spring Wonder' or 'Pink Flair')