Am I seeing these Tree Signs right?

doggrowl · May 16, 2014

These marks are on a Beech Tree in Northern VA. I noticed it when someone carved new name in the tree and the red bark showed through. I took these pics and made some notes. A lot of the signs are defaced, but a lot are legible. I think my take on a map of the area being hidden in the "O" and the "+" of these initials. If you start at the fork and follow the road around you will come to the old railroad crossing:

T O
+
R R

Take a look and tell me what you think.

Charlie P. (NY) · May 16, 2014

Yep. You found a tree at a party spot that for 35 years has been abused by kids. Good catch.

SusanMN · May 16, 2014

I think TO and RR carved their initials in the tree because they were in love. That's it.

releventchair · May 16, 2014

Beech in a traffic area suffer their skin being abused. Check KIRBY next year if possible and in the future to get an idea of what the other scars ages are. Wild guess a few years or less. If you have a reason to be looking for a map in that area within that time frame there,s your frame. Trees are tricky for marks let alone maps unless temporary or short term unless bark is removed in a piece all the way through and wide enough not to heal. Blazed trails are still used in places but in many are discouraged due to risk of infection or weakening trees. A recent map could in theory could have been applied to a beech in your pics. However being in the traffic area it is in the risk of being defaced or followed seems risky.
A lead can be followed backwards to its source when its solid sometimes. A map leaves the who,what,why,how out of whats needed to test a potential lead unless its on the map or somehow answers those lead solidifying questions. If your not working other leads and what you have is one you want to work, work it but the signs seem recent and to much like a note on a public bulletin board but if your working a recent and tested for truth lead great.. If looking for a note on a board, despite risk of it being altered or removed such a board could yes be used. Where to start on the who,w,w,w,w? H.H..

doggrowl · May 17, 2014

Much thanks for all the responses. I guess reading "Rebel Gold" got me thinking treasure signs when I saw this tree. I have no background in T-hunting, but I think I have the urge to look closer at the things around me. This particular tree is at a dead end that is about to be developed and when the road is widened and paved, this tree will be gone. I wanted to give the knowledgeable folks on here a shot at it. Thanks again...I will keep looking. Now on the chance that someone else is interested, I have the Long/Lat of the location. Good luck to all that gave me the insight.