Oh, my. This does look like something scraped the bark.

Almost every maple I have, of any variety, has developed what looks like vertical cracks in the bark. Some have developed what looks like mower damage at the base. (NO, no mowers in my gardens.) Anyway, I'd come to realize the vertical stuff is normal, but not this, I don't think.

My Orangeola doesn't have anything going on. Do you think it could be some animal damage?

Really Freeman?

I have an emperor one that has a crack/depressed area near the base, I made a thread about it and most everyone said it was a goner.

This is tough to call. That chip I see in the top wound makes me think mechanical. Canker is possible and there are many types, but the indentation remark is all that points to that and not much else. I'd lean toward mechanical injury. You can only wait and see at this point.

tj

My neighbor's dog knawed on my young Bloodgood when I was just starting out. Damage was similar looking and it healed right up. Orangeola is quite tough, mine split at the crotch three winters ago. It's thriving now and completely healed over after I figured it was toast.

If mechanical, I think odds are in your favor.

I'm surprised nobody mentioned rabbits. I think they can chew the bark of things when there is no other food available, or to trim their teeth. Unfortunately it's completely random and there's no way to know where they might strike.