This American Beech Tree outside the Nature Center at Steele Creek Park shows its age by the size of the trunk but also sadly, by the carvings found on the bark. The tree is estimated to be between 50 to 100 years old and the carvings have been on the tree for decades. Jeremy Stout commented that he has seen carvings on the tree since his first day 12 years ago. From Roman times this tree has been a popular graffiti tree, as seen in the Latin proverb "Crescent illae; crescentis amores" or "as these letters grow, so may our love grow," referring to initials of lovers carved into beech bark. This does however increase the threat of infection and insects to get into the tree and shorten the trees lifespan.
Photo Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier/HeraldCourier.com
http://www.heraldcourier.com/news/etchings-endanger-tree-at-steele-creek-nature-center/article_0a23190b-1473-51c7-b7bf-d289abca4971.html
