Monday, August 31, 2020

Historical Tree Carvings

Trees have been used as a medium for communication and art through tree etchings called arborglyphs.  Arborglyphs are carvings of symbols and shapes into the barks of living trees.  As archaeologists are learning, these arborglyphs are windows into past civilizations.

In the United States, arborglyphs have documented Basque immigrants who worked as shepherds in remote forests from the mid-19th century.  They left their mark on trees throughout the western United States.  As there isn't a lot of Basque ancestral documentation in the United States, the tree carvings are the closest thing to records.

In the United Kingdom, the New Forest National Park Authority urges visitors to help document sightings of arborglyphs.  These arborglyphs have been left by many different people, including foresters, soldiers from WWII, Kingsmen, and from people who wanted protection from witches.

Uncovering and documenting these arborglyphs is challenging, as it is a race against time.  The longevity of the arborglyph is limited by the lifespan of the tree, which can be around 150 years.  The lifespan is also affected by weather, climate change, and vandalism.

There is much to uncover and learn from arborglyphs.  We should not carve into trees, as it may make the trees more susceptible to diseases and pests.  However, we can appreciate and respect the historical carvings that have been left behind, and leave the trees untouched for others to enjoy.