Damaging ancient symbols of power found in a forest could have disastrous spiritual consequences

Someone found some symbols carved into trees in a National forest and the "thought process" went straight to hate, anger, etc. instead of ancient symbols of power so they were all destroyed by this person instead of contacting the proper authorities, this person claims the trees said "thank you" but, I'm not sure about that or if ANY of them survived having been damaged ?

I don't know where this was, I don't know these people, nor do I know if it's legal to buy an axe and start chopping into trees in a National forest without proper permits, if any exist, and if said permits allow damage to be done to trees that are NOT being used to survive even if you do have them ?