I'm not sure if there is a relationship between the powerful microwave beam near those trees and the rather unusual damage or not. First thing is, I didn't give close examination to the trunks so there may have been some claw marks from climbing bear(s). Mountain lions will reach up about five or six feet to claw mark a tree after pissing on it. It's saying, "my turf, stay out" to other lions. I've seen these markings and seen the lion near the area, so there's that. Bears would raid the gaden to gorge on grapes and apples leaving huge crap pile and tracks. My unproven theory is that maybe the beam agitated a bear some how? Maybe a bigfoot? Anyway,I avoided the spot after that. The damage was so severe not a single branch on either tree had not been shredded. I'd rather not encounter an animal that would do that.