Yosemite National Park, California 2008 -- We asked our model in the red shirt to pose for context. Carving out a tree like this damages it severely and decreases its longevity. The National Park Service would not allow it today. However, in the 19th century, it helped to make the park popular -- and get public funding for more national parks. The good news is that trees do all of their growing just beneath the bark -- so this tree continues to grow and add to its volume. The bad news is that the "dead" wood in the center supports the tree -- and this one won't last as long as others with their insides intact.

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