Tattoed Tree

I always feel quite sorry for trees when I see them disfigured like this.

[Nicole Campbell]

I do too, it is very sad to see

[Cindy]

Cool picture, poor tree

[Hazel]

It's an old custom, I think. And have no idea if it is bad for the tree.

[Peter]

I agree with you Babs its also damaging to cut into the protective outer bark of a tree in this way no matter how attractive your name looks its still not pretty to see:)

[Debbie]

I agree. It always reminds me of tattoos on a humans skin, with the difference being consent.

[Joyce]

Wow thats an awful lot of carvings. Poor tree.

[Paula W]

I know what you mean, don't really understand myself but does make me wonder about the lives and stories of the people who have left their mark. Hope you're doing well Babs.

[Chris K]

its such a shame isnt it although The Explorers Tree in the Blue Mountains is very historic where Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson who were the first to discover a way over the mountains, carved their initials in 1813

[Jodie]

Great shot, poor tree, though I imagine its not that bothered they are amazingly resilient

[sally agnew]

I wonder if they are now forgotten scrawl :)

[Helen Sanderson]

we don't see so many these days...thank goodness. A different type of scribble bark...

[Merrelyn]

It disturbs me too, Babs. I don't understand why so many people feel the need to do this :(

[Gosia]

Poor tree.

[mittens (Marilyn)]

Cool shot and what a great find.

[Fisher Family]

It may be damaging to the tree, but such carvings are fairly common. I like the resulting photo!

Ian

[gloria jones]

Neat find and capture

[Sally Ings]

Sad that people feel the need to carve things on tree trunks.

[Margaret Brown]

A sad fact once someone does it a lot more follow!! Nice capture non the less

[Paul]

I was thinking the same thing walking through our woods today. I actually wondered if trees could feel and talk would they say it hurt them 😉

[leggzy]

It's like vandalism :( The tree is scarred for life.
It seems to be a popular tree too.

[Dawn]

Oh dear not alot else can be said sad

[Pyrrhula]

My comment I did on: http://365project.org/pyrrhula/365/2013-06-15

[Islandgirl]

Sad to see!

[Marnie]

I'll second that motion Babs.

[Yao RL]

It looks painful, those narcissists.

[KWind]

Great textures... hopefully it doesn't hurt the tree. They seem to continue growing despite the markings.

[Taffy]

So well spotted but you made me feel sorry for the tree!

[Babs]

@nicolecampbell @fullcircle @quietpurplehaze @pcoulson @deborah63 @thistle @cruiser @jodies @hermann @hrs @merrelyn @gosia @mittens @fishers @seattlite @salza @craftymeg @paul10 @leggzy @pyrrhula @radiogirl @golftragic @yaorenliu @kwind @taffy Thanks everyone, although I think it is sad, I am sure the tree will survive. It is on the waterfront in Nelson Bay and has survived a couple of tornados, some pretty drastic east coast lows (sub tropical cyclones) and tourists damaging its skin.

[Jane Morley]

Why do people have to do this? Great shot though.

[ChristineL]

I think some people feel the need to join in once they see the marks others have made

[Stephanie]

Yes, me too, don't see that much around my way these days and people do far worse and strip the bark away from the outside of the tree thereby killing it, terrible :(

[Sue Cooper]

It is such a shame. I hope the tree survives.

[Annie D]

I wonder if council put up a sign saying that it is hurting the tree if people would stop or just continue?

[Babs]

@annied Probably continue I'd say. They put up a sign saying "Diving in the water at this spot is dangerous" at Shoal Bay and they still dived in, even though a few years prior someone dived in and ended up a paraplegic. Say no more!

[Kathy A]

I agree that its not good for the tree but gee it makes for a good photo!