We have elk in some parts o Tn but as I look it is not a rub it is just tree bark peeling off

We are just down the road from ya in Roane county, Kingston. We saw plenty of real rubs, but these just really caught our eye. The weird thing is that the bark is still attached like normal above and below this. Whatever it is, there is definitely deer here. We've already decided we are going to put up another buddy stand on this end of our property for next year. I think it appears that the trails go up towards a field not far away.

Porcupine maybe?

I've got another question, now that you've seen what our land looks like from the picture, granted, it's not much of a picture, but I think you get the idea. We had our land logged approximately 14 years ago, and we now have thousands of these small saplings about the size of your wrist. I'm thinking about putting up another buddy stand for my son and I close to this thicket(The one in the picture is probably extra thick compared to the others). The only problem is that it would be upwind of them most of the time. I think they are possibly bedding down in this thicket area and going up about a quarter mile to some large fields to feed. Any thoughts on this? Thanks

I would say lighting on that shredded up one.

Through your scouting you should determine a common trail from the bedding area to where they feed or go otherwise from the bedding area.
I would situate a stand on such a trail but not too close to the bedding area.
Bedding areas should be regarded as undisturbed sanctuary area where the deer feel safe. If disturbed in those bedding areas they usually change and it might take them 3 days or more to come back.Good luck... I'm sure you'll pattern these deer in time.