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A total of 691 black bear (Ursus americanus) mark trees were located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Mark trees along preselected index trails were tagged, physiognomic parameters around the trees measured, and characteristics of the tree and mark recorded. Trees along the index trails were reobserved periodically from April to December 1976-77 (biweekly between May and October) to monitor fresh marking. Eight different coniferous and 26 different hardwood species were marked; the choice of species apparently reflects their availability in areas of high bear use. Mark trees were located primarily along abandoned trails and ridge tops. Most fresh marking occurred during May, June, and July. Thirty-one percent and 23% of the mark trees along index routes exhibited fresh marks during 1976 and 1977, respectively. Reduction of aggression may not be the only function of marking. The incidence of fresh marking may be useful as an index to population density.