Looks like jack rabbit damage instead of cottontail but you could just have big cottontail or unless you had heavy snowfall.
Living with the cottontail and growing fruit
Confirm the tracks using that link but judging by your screen name i think you know it was a rabbit. You can cut off where they girdled it and you will only be out the little bit of growth on top. The trees will come back just fine. It is harder to grow roots than tops. Dont leave the growth on the top any longer they are done for and it will kill the tree. My theory is it was cottontail you got heavy snow and he walked across the snow elevating his access above your rabbit guards.
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