Help with research, how long do carvings last?

[littleL]

Hello,

I’m doing some research for a story and wanted to ask the experts!

How long would a carving last in an adult oak tree? I mean a small, cut-like carving, for example like initials/words (not sculptures).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks..

[John_C]

Depends on the overall health of the tree the soil and amount of available water. all things considered good growing conditions in an Oak could be as long or short as ten years. trees do what is called Compartmentalization a type of callus. When wounded the tree will try to enclose the wound. in humans for instance you would re-grow the wound from new cells.Trees can't do that they will encase the wound. carving in living trees is the same as a wound. Different trees of different growth rates and of course depending on the size of the wound take different times to callus.

[DADDIO]

my parents carved their initials in a tree at a local state park, it seems this tree was popular to have this done to it, don't remember if it was oak but that was over 50 years ago,and you could still see them up until about a year ago when a tornado destroyed it.

[littleL]

That helps
Thank you both!