I think the branches were alive. I don't know that I'd call them twigs. Some of them are up to 8 feet long. There are approximately 20 stripped branches now that I look. Also, the tree is more like 35 - 40 feet tall. I think it's 20 years old. I agree that it shouldn't hurt the tree too much, but I'm jsut wondering what I should do. Do I need to prune off all those branches? What a pain. I would definitely require a ladder or some tree climbing. Would you guys try to reduce the chances that the animal will do this to another 20 branches next time? If so how? Thanks.

Very observant floral_uk! That wire looks as if it was just recently installed to keep the branch from leaning out too much. It's going to girdle the branch and kill from that point on. The 'tree' appears to be a branch of a birch tree planted way too close to the house. I'd just leave it be until it falls away from the house when it gets larger. It will begin to lean more and more until it's removed. Ice won't do it in ken, the OP is in Phoenix. Around here aphids chew on the leaves causing a sticky soot mold on everything under it, cars, windows, and other plants. I had no idea a birch could survive in Phoenix. I've never seen one there. Mike...Birchless in Seattle

Hmmmm, I didn't think at this time of year, that bucks would be running together. I thought they only did that way b4 and way after the mating season. Right? I hunt from the ground, and don't think I could stand 5 hours on a stand. I do have a bucket though, that is left there year round. I went out again for the last 1 1/2 hours of the eve. Discovered b4 I left that a shell had not ejected when I emptied it last, and it was lodged in the underneath part where you load them. I quick trip across the road and the neighbor had me good to go. I saw one doe. It came out of the woods and was heading cautiously across the field. Some vines were blocking my view, and after going so far, she turned and went back where she came from. Maybe tomorrow AM I will face the cold and go again, otherwise it will have to wait until Friday...sigh.

mazer- I have a very large backyard so the dogs get plenty of running and playing time. Both together and separate, and with me and without me. There are many reasons they are separated, but I did not mean to make it sound as if they are kept separated. Sometimes they are separated from each other, sometimes they are separated from the human family members. They will be separated from Frazier because he's old and sometimes just does not feel like being bothered by them. Other times they are separated from each other because of rough play in the house or because it's easier to clean ears or clip nails. Also, if the cats are in the kitchen eating and the dogs are in the livingroom, then they have to stay there even if I have to go into the kitchen. This is where part of the problem comes in with Quincy. He hates when I leave the room and the barking begins. He really has to get over this. I have a daughter, grandchildren and other pets. He can't be the center of attention 24/7. I don't mind if he expresses his dissatisfaction, but the barking has to stop... especially indoors. Here is an example of this morning's barking episodes. Quincy and Charlie are in the kitchen with me. Frazier in the livingroom with DH. Frazier is always stiff in the mornings and the pups are playful so I keep them separated for that reason. I pass through the livingroom to go wake up DD. This sets Quincy off with the barking. DH shushes Quincy, but as soon as he loses DH's attention he starts barking again. It only takes me a minute before I'm back in the kitchen, so Quincy's fine at that time. Charlie just stands beside Quincy waiting for me to get back. I'm in the laundry room getting ready to wash clothes. I step outside to shake the feathers out of the bird cage cover. Quincy barks. I'm on the steps right outside the door. Quincy can see me. Takes all of 20 seconds and he's already barking, Charlie just watching me through the door. I come back inside, he's fine. By that time Frazier is on the move so all of us go outside. Time to turn off the heat in the greenhouse. Frazier goes his way, the 2 pups are running and playing. I go in the greenhouse and immediately Quincy is barking to get in. Took me all of 30 seconds. A few minutes later Fraz and I go back in the house, the pups are playing. I ask if they're ready to come in but they continue to play. Charlie gets her fill of playtime and scratches on the door. I let them both in. Charlie and Frazier go in the livingroom and lie down. Quincy isn't finished playing yet and Frazier doesn't want to be bothered. I take Quincy back in the kitchen/laundry room/bedroom area with me. He's fine until I have to go to the bathroom. Generally I don't shut the door (who needs privacy) but I was spraying down the shower. He barks, I shush, he barks, I shush. Took me less than a minute. I have to go into the livingroom now, so I switch dogs... Frazier to the kitchen, Quincy now to the livingroom with Charlie. I'm cleaning house so moving back and forth through the rooms. Charlie decides she wants in the kitchen, so away she goes. Quincy wants to follow so he goes too. Frazier doesn't want in the kitchen with the 2 romping pups, so back in the livingroom with me. After a minute or two, Quincy's barking because we're separated. It's revolving dogs all day and Quincy wants to be where ever it is he wants to be and is going to bark until he gets his way. Well, you get the picture. :)