In amongst well weathered graffiti of unidentifiable date, and nearly fully obscured by a broad scar in the bark, you can just make out what remains of a Witch Mark. Concentric circles, doubled V's and Daisy Wheels or Hexifoils (as above) are the most common, although they come in other forms too; they're thought to have been carved since at least the early Medieval period and were still being cut in the 1800's, and a tradition that no doubt continues today. Believed to be examples of protective magic, apotropaic symbols to ward off bad luck or the evil eye. They're a fascinating insight into the world as our ancestors experienced it.
