Here it is!!!  My favorite tree in Meeks Park.  It is on the backside of the trail around the mountain.  

 

We believe it is an Indian Trail Tree.  They are nearly always White Oaks.  When the tree was just a sapling, it was bent and stuffed with moss at the "nose."  Then it was allowed to grow for years, creating this interesting bend.  Often these trees were bent like this to point toward sources of water, or to neighboring camps.  It is a fascinating subject to explore.

 

We have several Indian Trail Trees here in Five Forks.  The first one you notice is at the Creekside Trail trailhead.  There are two big vertical branches on a massive White Oak Tree.  The next one is at the next big curve in the road.  And the third one is on Beaconhill at another major curve.  Interesting.  Were they here before the community, and the developer used them to route the roads?  Are they all pointing toward water?  How old are they?  So many questions.

 

Be on the lookout, you may find others.  If so, tell ME!!!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!