Have you ever noticed this tree on Five Forks Drive, in front of the Geene's house?  It is a very special oak tree.  We believe it is an Indian trail tree.  There are lots of them in the mountains, especially in North Georgia.

 

We've been reading about them:  fascinating!!  

 

Long before road signs and highways, native people needed ways to mark their paths through the woods;  to find their way home, to find sources of water or danger.  Some clever, unknown person decided to bend young oak saplings in a particular direction to send messages to their fellow travellers.  And these trees became known as "Indian Sign Posts."

 

Most trail trees are bent about 3 feet off the ground, with a horizontal section, and an upright trunk coming off of it.  At the corner where the tree grows upright there is a "nose," and this is what points the way.  Later, trail trees needed to be seen by people on horseback, so there are also trail trees bent 8 feet off the ground.  They are known as "Horse and Rider" trail trees.  These trees also send messages, just higher up to be seen from horseback.

 

Trail trees were bent for many reasons.  They point out direction of travel, sources of food and water, caves or safe areas to hide, or even to give false messages to an enemy, leading them away from a village or campsite.  Before bridges were built, people needed to know where they could safely cross rivers or streams.  Trail trees were bent to point out shallow crossing places.

 

I'm not sure if anybody still bends oak saplings to send messages, but, fortunately there are many survivors of the practice.  They are historical monuments now, and national treasures.  (My opinion.)

 

Now that we know what they are, we are always on the lookout for Indian Trail Trees.  We know of at least one in Meeks Park on the hiking trail.  I can't remember if it's low (to advise walkers) or high (to be seen from the back of a horse.) I'll look next time we're there.  I hope you will discover some too.

 

If you'd like to learn more about Indian Trail Trees, go to:   Mountain Stewards

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!