Voles are tiny I may be wrong but I wouldn't think they could cause the level of damage you are talking about. Mice perhaps?

They can though! they ring bark the tree at the base and it falls over in a strong wind, having looked perfectly healthy before. I tried several things including used cat litter round the trunk under attack. Nothing worked until I tried chilli pepper and there has been no more trouble. (They killed an eight foot high cotoneaster and were starting on an Escallonia) I think it was bank voles in our case but other kinds might do the same thing, I don't know.
Having a cat can help but ours didn't. I think our present one would though!

I have heard that castor oil works, don't know how though. Failing that, a cat will hunt it down. My cat used to bring me a vole at least once a month. Sadly she died some years ago and the new one is only interested in birds.

Snoopdog, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, it's only water voles that are protected, not field voles or shrews.

Sorry Myron but you always get some smart Alec to say something different. Shrews are partially protected under Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 - this means they cannot be killed or captured using traps, snares, nets, or poisons etc.

But my names not Alec Jimmy.

Myron, I was referring to myself.

Would somebody please tell our cat if shrews are protected?

Well I didn't think they were Steragram because I read this:-

"Both species of shrew are believed to be in decline, due to loss of suitable habitat, although exact numbers are unknown. Neither have any special protection at present."

But after Jimmy said they were, I did some further research and found he was quite right after finding this:-

"Although there is no reason to fear their extinction, all shrews (including the common shrew) are protected under Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). Due to this protection, shrews may not be trapped without a licence.

So, I would have a stern word with your cat and let it know that it's a naughty naughty cat and it shouldn't go chasing shrews without a licence. ;o)

I will see to it directly. She does normally confine herself to voles, with the occasional foray into young rats and moles. And birds unfortunately though we try to prevent it.

lol Stera!