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I live in a rural area, adjacent to an ancient filbert, (hazel nut), orchard. There are large pockets surrounding me, that have never been developed. Occasionally, I'll hear, smell, or see signs of unexplained critters. Sometimes an expert can decipher them and a few times they can not.

Well, my kids ran across this strange "paw" print on the side of one of the old men, (my name for the old trees), just a few days ago. It seems to have burned the tree, but not quite sure. The bark is not penetrated, scratched or broken, in any way, yet it left a unique "wound" in the tree. I've never seen the bark damaged in that way, ever.

There are wires sticking out of many trees that served as braces after the Columbus day storm, back in the 60's. They have been rusting for decades and do not resemble the coloration of the "paw print". It is not oily, and you can see the claw marks out from the paw. It does not seem to be an illusion of mold, or fungus, etc. Looks like something evil touched it, and damaged the tree...??? Additional photos here.

--'A-wing Ace'