Elaria<|message|>That old elm does have a curious mark on it. From what I can tell, the lines look more like a pattern of the bark itself, perhaps a crack that’s been widened by wind and water over the years. In our village we often see such “symbols” when a tree is struck by lightning or when the bark’s fibers split in a particular way. Unless someone carved it recently, it’s likely just the tree’s own story. If you see any other signs—like a fresh wound or a scent of sap—it could be a more recent mark, but for now, I’d say the elm is just sharing its own natural rhythm with us.