Wow, that is one impressive beech tree. The base flutes are so cool. I really do love hardwood forests, they are so amazing in the fall/winter. I'd loan you my increment borer, but don't think it would get anywhere near the middle. Plus, looks like these get enough abuse over time. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, it's amazing the amount of carvings that you can find in these beech trees. It's been at least 60 or so years from what I've witnessed!