What sharpened their claws on these trees?

ohno · Jan 23, 2015

We found several

of these trees with these claw marks on them last Nov.14. It was east of Algonquin Park in North eastern Ontario. There were no tracks below the trees but the trees were just beside a logging road we were on.

ovrszd · Jan 23, 2015

Hmmmm.. Interesting. Can't tell for sure how high off the ground the marks are?? With what information I have now, I'm saying since they are beside a logging road, they've been scraped by a man and machinery. Don't look like claw marks to me. But what do I know.

smstonypoint · Jan 23, 2015

I am inclined to agree with Richard -- the trees may have been scraped by the limbs of felled trees as they were being skidded to the landing deck.

The scars look fresh -- when was the area logged?

Steve

ohno · Jan 23, 2015

We are on a unused logging road that goes into to a hunting camp. The logging road is only used by us and there was about 10 inches of snow on the road going in. We were the first track in the snow going in. We didn't notice these until we were leaving. They are about 4 to 5 feet from the ground.

JerryK · Jan 23, 2015

I think that someone has marked these trees to cut out...... not sure what they used. Wanted the marks to be visible for when a crew comes in to take them out. [[ ??? ]]] If you noticed, there are some off the trail that are marked the same...

George2615 · Jan 23, 2015

Welcome to TBN (January 2014 and first post)
Marks on trees made by Bigfoot.

doxford jim · Jan 23, 2015

George2615 said:
Welcome to TBN (January 2014 and first post)
Marks on trees made by Bigfoot.

I just knew that was coming:cool2::drink::thumbsup:

PILOON · Jan 23, 2015

Might be from antlers.
Claws would make narrower and shorter tears I think.
Moose, deer elk?

jimmyj · Jan 23, 2015

Odd marks. Bear scratches are deeper from my experience. Buck rubs are usually on smaller more flexible trees and not this shape. I don't know what they are. The thing that's weird to me about them is the small saplings in front don't seem damaged and if the trees were hit by machinery there likely would have been more damage to the saplings. And the damage is all around the trees not just on one side. I haven't even seen moose rubs, anyone? Bueller?

ohno · Jan 23, 2015

There are moose in the area. Its the fact that under the trees there are no signs of big tracks, broken brush and fallen limbs. Antlers wouldn't be able to wrap around the tree though. The center of the marks are deep as the claw would make.

Baby Grand · Jan 23, 2015

Looks like moose chewed at the bark.
We had one around here a few years ago that left similar marks on our trees.
She seemed to prefer our smaller maples - between 4 & 6 inches diameter, with smooth bark.
I'll see if I can find any of the pictures.

smstonypoint · Jan 23, 2015

smstonypoint said:
I am inclined to agree with Richard -- the trees may have been scraped by the limbs of felled trees as they were being skidded to the landing deck.

This no longer seems plausible.

JerryK said:
I think that someone has marked these trees to cut out...... not sure what they used. Wanted the marks to be visible for when a crew comes in to take them out. [[ ??? ]]] If you noticed, there are some off the trail that are marked the same...

If true, the folks who did the marking went to a lot of unnecessary work in blazing. They could have used a lot fewer strokes and/or a can of spray paint to mark the trees. Also, the marks do not look like they were made by a hatchet, Woodmans' Pal, or similar tool.

Steve

ohno · Jan 23, 2015

If you were there it was a big "What Did That" we were driving out and with no marks under the trees but we were on the road and packing snow, there were no other tracks.

MossRoad · Jan 23, 2015

Looks like moose chew marks according to this post on some other site...
new honey hole discovery - Page 3

That, or chupacabra!!! :shocked:

stuckmotor · Jan 23, 2015

The photos of ohno's scratches don't show individual tooth marks like those at Honeyhole. I'm thinking ohno's moose might have been snaggle toothed.

dave1949 · Jan 23, 2015

Porcupines will strip bark at least similar to that.

MossRoad · Jan 23, 2015

https://www.google.com/search?q=moo...a=X&ei=rwfDVODWGdWjyATQ0IDoBg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg

jix · Jan 23, 2015

Porcupine?

Looking4new · Jan 23, 2015

I am tempted to go with a swamp donkey, myself.

donk2014 · Jan 23, 2015

Wrong time of year for antlers, bears wake up in winter on occasion, porkys like pine, is there a pond in the area? my guess cat or beaver.
any domestic animals around..horses will strip a tree, donkeys ?
What species of tree, alder, cascara?