Curious Tree Markings (Updated: More Photos)

[1320]

I stumbled across this Beech Tree deep in the woods yesterday and noticed this carving. It's hard to make out exactly what is carved and the photos aren't much help but wanted to post them anyway to see if anyone can come up with something.

The letters look like this: S I X T O or S H X T O. The O could be a D?

The style of "writing" looks old. If anyone has an idea, please share it, I'm puzzled!

 

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[mdog]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

I don't know if this has anything to do with the trees you have pictured but I ran across something in my research that might be helpful to you and others interested in tree signs. This is from a book on the history of the Louisianna Territory.

Rick

Other Indian trails passed from the French settle-
ments on the Kaskaskia and Mississippi rivers to other
points in the Illinois country. One extended from Kas-
kaskia by a somewhat indirect route to Fort Massac on the
Ohio. This trail, before the end of French control in the
Mississippi valley, was converted into a military road and
each mile marked on a tree by the side of the path, the
numbers being cut in with an iron and then painted
red.^

 

[1320]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

Interesting! Thanks Rick.

 

[10claw]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

when you go back, take a stainless steel wire brush and lightly clean the lichens or whatever the mossy stuff is so you can get a good
clear picture. don't scrub hard. also if you are'nt afraid of others finding your spot you can paint your letters with black latex paint.
once painted take the pictures and you can also wash the latex paint off if you wish.
have fun and good luck.

 

[Pala Y Pico]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

"The letters look like this: S I X T O or S H X T O. The O could be a D?"

If the carving turns out to be SEXTO, it is SIXTH in Spanish and Portuguese.

 

[Old Dog]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

Mario,
If there is an "X" in the middle of a word the Spanish alphabet code takes over.
"X" = 10 always.

 

[1320]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

when you go back, take a stainless steel wire brush and lightly clean the lichens or whatever the mossy stuff is so you can get a good
clear picture. don't scrub hard. also if you are'nt afraid of others finding your spot you can paint your letters with black latex paint.
once painted take the pictures and you can also wash the latex paint off if you wish.
have fun and good luck.

I intended to ask for help in this regard, thank you for these suggestions

 

[1320]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

"The letters look like this: S I X T O or S H X T O. The O could be a D?"

If the carving turns out to be SEXTO, it is SIXTH in Spanish and Portuguese.

How neat! I had no idea. I need to get back up there and take another look. If the second letter is an E, then I just might have a true mystery to solve!

Do you think it's safe to assume that this carving is not the typical name or initials type? There are some Sextons around the area but the carving lacks the N. Perhaps it was unfinished? Ah, I like the possibility of a Spanish or Portuguese carving much better, think I'll stick with that!

Many thanks for your reply.

 

[Old Dog]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

the Spanish wouldn't use the number six
but would make obscure references to it such as 4+2, 3+3 or 5+1
even as a written word the number is an unclean one and would be danced around.
I seriously think an alphabetical reference will produce results.

 

[1320]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

the Spanish wouldn't use the number six
but would make obscure references to it such as 4+2, 3+3 or 5+1
even as a written word the number is an unclean one and would be danced around.
I seriously think an alphabetical reference will produce results.

I find this very interesting Old Dog, thank you. Can you give me a link or reference to the Spanish Alphabet code? I did some light poking around on the web.....nothing.....

 

[1320]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

Well, after researching typefaces, it's impossible to date the carving...LOL.

 

[Old Dog]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

try the last page of basic signs thread.
I have just reposted it.

 

[1320]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

try the last page of basic signs thread.
I have just reposted it.

Got it and thank you again.

 

[1320]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

when you go back, take a stainless steel wire brush and lightly clean the lichens or whatever the mossy stuff is so you can get a good
clear picture. don't scrub hard. also if you are'nt afraid of others finding your spot you can paint your letters with black latex paint.
once painted take the pictures and you can also wash the latex paint off if you wish.
have fun and good luck.

Again, very good advice 10claw, thank you. The wire brush revealed a whole bunch of letters that were otherwise invisible....LOL. Mystery solved....Bertha Sexton Dang, I thought I was on to something!

 

[10claw]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

hey 1320, would you mind posting a finished picture?

 

[1320]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

hey 1320, would you mind posting a finished picture?

Of course, good idea. Give me a few days, the creek is up due to heavy rains last night.

 

[1320]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

And here it is 10claw, again, thanks for the simple suggestion. I am surprised just how well your method cleaned up the letters with no harm to the tree. Instead of latex paint, I used dry erase magic markers to minimize my impact.

 

[poorfarm]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

check area for a grave with that name
next clue might be there

 

[Old Dog]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

So,
Spanish doesn't apply.

Sure looks a lot like graffiti, But I could be wrong.

 

[poorfarm]

Re: Curious Tree Markings

if its in ky just saying cover all angles