Tree Abuse

I just don't get it. I've been to campgrounds and picnic areas all over the country and continue to see things like this.

This was the tree right outside my cabin at Flagg Ranch, near the south gate of Yellowstone National Park. Presumably the people who stay at this resort have an affinity to nature and parks as this is the only place to stay between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National park. They likely wouldn't be there if they prefer city life. But for some reason, the people who have stayed in this cabin saw fit to brutalize a tree. Why? I've seen it before too many times and it really pisses me off. Why would you think it is okay to hack away at the bark of a tree which in effect is really like the tree's skin. With open wounds it is susceptible to disease and a shorter life. To what end are these campground trees brutalized? Don't get me wrong, its not that I think trees have feelings but why do people do this? If kids did this to animals we would assume they were on the fast track to becoming serial murderers. But somehow this is acceptable. If you actually respect nature you wouldn't randomly destroy it for no reason at all. It didn't become firewood or furniture. It is just maimed. The wounds may take a long time to heal if at all. But the person who did it had a good time for the few minutes it took and for some that is all that matters.