Here's why:
* The trees represent natural resources: In the story, the forest is filled with valuable trees, representing the abundant natural resources available in early America.
* Tom Walker "scores" the trees: Tom Walker, a greedy and materialistic man, cuts down these trees for their valuable wood. The act of "scoring" the trees implies marking them for destruction, much like a hunter would mark their prey.
* The destruction is for personal gain: Tom Walker's motivation is not to use the wood for building or other constructive purposes. He is solely driven by greed, selling the wood for profit and accumulating wealth.
* The trees are vulnerable: The trees are defenseless against Tom Walker's greed and are easily exploited for his selfish gain.
* Nature's consequence: The destruction of the trees represents the wider consequences of unchecked exploitation of natural resources for personal gain, which can ultimately lead to ecological damage and depletion.
By using the imagery of "scoring" the trees, Irving highlights the destructive nature of Tom Walker's character and the consequences of prioritizing greed over responsible stewardship of nature.