If there are deer around, at 10" above the ground I'd bet on deer nipping the tips off. Too tall for a muskrat, and beavers won't eat conifers unless they are starving. They prefer softwoods like aspen/cottonwood, etc.

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3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).