American Beech - Fagus grandifolia

This tree and several others in this area were the victims of self-centered humans. They were all carved into with people's initials. Those people probably spent less than an hour sitting by this pond, and these trees will have to live like this for decades- if they are lucky enough not to succumb to disease as a result the extensive damage done to their bark.

Habitat: A disturbed, small forest. This location has a pond, which draws in a lot of people - to the detriment of the natural environment.