it's not just predation...

...it's a bloody insult from who or whatever did it...i took a look out back here at the rental to check up on the apple trees and damned if something hasn't nipped one off at the trunk...the other one is seemingly fine so i imagine i will be starting a couple of trees this winter to 1) replace this one, and 2) have a backup in case the second one doesn't winter over...that cut looks awfully clean to me and i am left to wonder how many legs the predator motivated on.