Why Researchers Are Racing To Document These X-Marked Trees Before They Disappear

Why Researchers Are Racing To Document These X-Marked Trees Before They Disappear

In the forests of Árjepluovve, the Sámi say lies a place of the gods. You might miss the site, if you’re not paying attention, but for those looking at the trees, X literally marks the spot. X marks have been cut into Scots Pines marking significant locations, but these marks are under threat. Ingela Bergman and colleagues have been examining X-marked trees in northern Sweden. These crosses appear on sacred wooden objects, ritual sites, and even…