Damage to Paw Paw Trunks

Any ideas what may have caused this damage to my paw paw trees and what, if anything, I can do about it now?

Does a riding lawnmower patrol past them?  Maybe the metal deck on the mower cut them when it accidentally rubbed against them?  Just a guess...

Mike Haasl wrote:Does a riding lawnmower patrol past them?  Maybe the metal deck on the mower cut them when it accidentally rubbed against them?  Just a guess...

That was my first thought, too, especially with the second photo. It looks rather freshly cut and shredded. My husband had the push mower out recently, but he says he didn't get that close to the trees. I know he could be mistaken, but I thought I'd ask here in case it could be something else. The tree in the first photo looks like the damage is a little older.

Part of me is glad you say it looks like mower damage, as that means it's easily preventable in the future. The other part of me is disappointed that my husband may have damaged my trees.

I definitely wouldn't blame your husband if he was using a push mower.  I was just trying to think of things that could have done that sort of damage near the grass line.  The second one looks like it could be a pest/borer or physical damage.  I can't grow pawpaws here so hopefully someone with more experience with them will chime in shortly.