I know the feeling as I have lost saplings this way - I have subsequently had to install chicken wire protectors to all young trees. This year I upgraded to attractive heavy guage black plastic trunk protectors protectors......

I have the feeling that what you saw is his marking of the tree for the ladies, not sharpening. Bucks will do this ... bigger bucks of course, mark higher. And sometimes a buck will just shred a tree out of pure sexual frustration... I've seen it from my treestand. A wild cherry tree. (I hunt with traditional bow.)

He's just being himself. He didn't know how much you loved that tree... next time, Put up the wire on trees you really want .. hanging Irish Spring soap in net or hose works sometimes... remember, "Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed."

best to you! Homegrown, live from Buzzard's Glory, Hub of the Universe

I had a buck rip up a lovely young lemon tree last fall. I was so angry. It was totally torn up. Just a stub of a trunk was left.