Trail Trees, Part II

by Rebecca May Davie

Welcome back to the discussion about Trail Trees. Native Americans molded these trees to point travelers in a certain direction. They could lead toward meeting grounds, burial sites, water, or other important locations. If you missed the first installment, find the post here: Trail Trees Part 1.  

In addition to Trail Trees and Horse and Rider Trail Trees presented last time, there are Message Trees. The bend in these trees is less severe. Instead of packing the nose that would give information, messages hide in a carved hollow. For example, the Creek used red sticks to convey information. The holes were convenient places to hide correspondence. Others passing by could be unaware of the secret cache.

Near village sites and water, there is another possible type of Message Tree. These trees have multitudes of knots circling the tree from base to summit. The meaning is unknown. We wonder if we have one such tree on our property. See the image at left. It appears old enough… but we may never have confirmation. I wish I had taken a photo before the leaves unfurled. Yet, you can just distinguish the multitudes of burls peeking out from under the foliage.

Treasure Trees are yet another variation. These trees bend toward the ground to indicate a buried treasure. Or the bend points toward a cave. In Georgia, before the Cherokee were forcibly removed, they mined gold. To save what belonged to their clans, the resourceful groups found locations to conceal their wealth, hoping to return one day to reclaim their bounty.

There are also straight trees with carvings. I read a book that claimed the Cherokee also left messages on trees to show where they buried treasure or to mark events or trails. Beech trees seem to be the preferred species. A family member and I are not in agreement about this tree you see on the right. Does it contain an image? It is of an age; however, the markings may just be a pattern in the bark. My imagination would rather believe it is indeed a message. What do you think? Do you see the mountain and a bird up above?

One could argue that these Native Americans were among the first on the continent to use codes. Secret codes expressed via trees. Fascinating!

Speaking of trees in question… I wonder if this could be a Trail Tree. See the image below. It looks like it has a nose - not the deer's nose. :0) Look above the deer. 

We talked about what and why, how about …

Which? 

It might be difficult to ascertain if a tree is in fact a Trail Tree and if so, which kind. I found this resource while researching the trees we discovered. If you think you might have a veritable find, fill out a form on the Mountain Stewards website. They are collecting data and seeking funding to protect these paragons of history. 

For more information: Indian Trail Trees by Elaine Jordan. It is out of print, but you may be able to find a copy online or at your local library. Dennis Downes studied these trees and their meanings for over 30 years. Check out his website or download his book, Native American Trail Marker Trees: Marking Paths Through the Wilderness. 

As you can tell, it can be fun, trying to find these trees. When you are in the woods the next time, pay attention. You may discover a Trail Tree or two. Happy hunting!

                     As a child, Rebecca loved to write. She nurtured this skill as                             an educator and later as an editor for an online magazine. 

Rebecca then joined the Cru Ministry - NBS2GO/Neighbor Bible Studies 2GO, at its inception. As the YouVersion Content Creator, she uploaded over 75 plans on the Bible.com app.

Rebecca lives in the mountains with her husband, the youngest of their two sons, and a rescued dog named Ranger. If it were up to her, she would be traveling - right now. As a member of ACFW, FHLCW, Jerry’s Guild, and Hope*Writers, Rebecca learns the craft of fiction while networking with a host of generous writers. She is working on her first fiction novel. This story unfolds from the 1830s in Northern Georgia.

Connect with Rebecca:

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Trail Trees

by Rebecca May Davie

Trees. They are majestic, awe-inspiring, and life-giving. As a child, I had a favorite tree and spent time perched on its limbs. Now, I live among trees with my family. Those sentinels who have watched countless people and animals cross their paths, the older and ancient trees - they are the most alluring. As Tolkien wisely declared, “I am at home among the trees.”

Here are photos, above and below, of a Live Oak we had the pleasure of visiting in Colonial Williamsburg last weekend. Isn’t it glorious? Oh, what this tree has witnessed over time. 

Countless stories and books feature trees. Three favorites are… the Ents in the Lord of the Rings, Shel Silverstein’s, The Giving Tree, and The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss. Yet, these are stories told about trees. What if the trees are the ones doing the telling? Long ago, there were people who told stories with the trees and enabled the trees themselves to share for generations to come.

I am referring to Trail Trees. These trees are beautiful representations of Native Americans using what they had at their disposal to meet a need.

 
Have you passed by a tree that has an unnatural bend or does not look as if the elements caused the appearance? It could be a Trail Tree.

 
Why?

 
A Trail Tree is a tree that the Native Americans modified to fulfill a purpose. Bent trees point in a certain direction. These help travelers (who understand the meanings) to follow a path. These trees could lead toward meeting grounds, burial sites, water, or other important locations. Often there are trees, one hundred yards apart (in our measurements), until the destination appears. Other trees are markers for something lying beneath or in the direct vicinity. Yet even more are communication trees. Hollows contain messages, relayed with sticks or other implements.

 
How?

 

Native Americans formed Trail Trees using a “thong” or a sling-shot shaped sapling. This supported the tree as they bent it 90 degrees. They held the tree down by a rope or sinew and anchored it to the ground. Another bend allowed the rest of the tree to grow toward the sky. Just before this upward limb, they altered the “nose” (bend in the tree). Depending on the purpose of the tree, they hollowed out the nose, packed it with bark and moss, and then sealed it with sap/resin. Sometimes, they cut the nose. Hopefully, this rough sketch will help to explain the process.

 
We do not know what information these noses hold. There are no records of the meanings and the descendants who might know are not sharing this knowledge. It is understandable that they would guard these traditions. The original creators disguised communications so that others who do not have the key, will gloss over the occurrence, and keep on moving.


Two acres from our home is a tree that I would like to believe is a Trail Tree. I am not sure if it is old enough and I have yet to seek confirmation. Years of soil and leaves hide the bottom of this tree, yet you can still see the nose. It is pointing toward the mountain.

While walking, you can view Trail Trees at eye-level. They are

often along waterways. Bent trees show where it is safe to cross. Where we used to live at the junction of a creek and a river there were two Trail Trees, one pointing to each body of water. Sadly, in the time that we lived there, one of the trees broke and only the base remains. The image to the left shows an example of a Safe Crossing tree. Though this one is probably too young to be authentic, you get the idea.

Beyond the trees giving direction at ground level, there are others fashioned so a rider on horseback can locate them – Horse and Rider Trail Trees. These specimens have bends around eight to ten feet or more off the ground. This image shows an example. Thank you to Linda Shaffer, who shared her photo from Crab Orchard, Tennessee.

July 3rd, please check back here at Heroes, Heroines, and History, to read about Message Trees in Part II of this series. Also, you will find suggested resources that could help you learn more. Do you think you might have an example on your property or near where you live? There is an organization studying and protecting these precious remnants from the past. They would like to hear from you and may help you determine the possibility. Read next month to find out how you can submit a query.

 

As a child, Rebecca loved to write. She nurtured this skill as an educator and

later as an editor for an online magazine. 

Rebecca then joined the Cru Ministry - NBS2GO/Neighbor Bible Studies 2GO, at its inception. As the YouVersion Content Creator, she uploaded over 75 plans on the Bible.com app.

Rebecca lives in the mountains with her husband, the youngest of their two sons, and a rescued dog named Ranger. If it were up to her, she would be traveling - right now. As a member of ACFW, FHLCW, Jerry’s Guild, and Hope*Writers, Rebecca learns the craft of fiction while networking with a host of generous writers. She is working on her first fiction novel. This story unfolds from the 1830s in Northern Georgia.

 

Connect with Rebecca: 

Clubhouse Facebook Goodreads Instagram Pinterest  Twitter  Website