A hiker in Boulder, Colorado, shared their frustration over what they encountered on the trail: a tree with three letters carved into its bark.
Posting to the r/boulder subreddit, the user shared an image of a tree with the letters “J,” “T,” and “H” carved into it. According to the post, the person came across this tree on the Green Mountain West Ridge Trail. The caption included some choice language for the vandals.
What may seem like a harmless tradition at first glance can actually cause several problems. Climate awareness starts with respecting plants and wildlife, but actions like this make it harder for people to connect with nature.
From an aesthetic perspective, carving into a tree can permanently alter its natural beauty, according to Friends of the Fells. Others who come across the tree, then, will have no choice but to see it. And in some cases, they may feel inspired to try it themselves, causing more harm…