Arborglyph

Arborglyph is the art of carving shapes into trees and wood but it can be damaging to most trees. If carving your beloved’s initials into your privately owned tree is your idea of romance then let me give you some tips to make the process less damaging.

1. Always use clean sterile tools. (You wouldn’t want your tattoo artist poking you with their rusty pocket knife, would you?)

2. Opt for a low hanging branch, preferably away from the trunk. The trunk is the main support for nutrients and water, once it’s infected or diseased, the tree will begin slowly declining. Branches can be easily amputated. (Perfect for preserving your art.)

3. Choose the correct trees. Soft wood maples, beeches, ash trees, elms, nut trees and fruit trees are prone to insect attacks and diseases. Hardy genus’s like oaks and chestnuts have a better chance of recovery.

4. Don’t carve a tree! Pick a shrub instead. Privets, viburnums and even crape myrtles are hardier and more prone to damage and recovery than trees are. They are also easier to replace if needed.