Signal tree pics...

[GroundS.KeepeR]

Signal tree pics...

These are cell phone pics ..I will get better pics when i get the time...Remember i was told this tree was a signal tree ..Your thoughts are welcome!

 

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[Felinepeachy]

Re: Signal tree pics...

What IS a signal tree?

 

[GroundS.KeepeR]

Re: Signal tree pics...

What IS a signal tree?

Signal trees — sometimes called trail trees — are important historically and are interesting to look out for. To make them, Native Americans forced trees to grow in certain shapes so as to serve as signals marking trails, hunting grounds, hideouts, camping areas, shallow fords, tribal territories, sacred places, etc. They made them by bending a sapling and holding it by some means until the first curve was fixed by growth. So as to hasten the fixation, they tied the sapling in some manner with rawhide, sinew rope, or stout vines.

 

[Felinepeachy]

Re: Signal tree pics...

WOW, that's really interesting. Now I'm going to be looking everywhere for them. Oh man........ one more thing to look for LOL

Thanks for the info

 

[GroundS.KeepeR]

Re: Signal tree pics...

WOW, that's really interesting. Now I'm going to be looking everywhere for them. Oh man........ one more thing to look for LOL

Thanks for the info

Very interesting ..Ill get some better pics soon ..almost ashamed of them ..Thanks for looking!

 

[Felinepeachy]

Re: Signal tree pics...

Ashamed of them? Are you kidding? Have you seen some of the pics posted around here? ROFL

You're are fine

 

[GroundS.KeepeR]

Re: Signal tree pics...

Ashamed of them? Are you kidding? Have you seen some of the pics posted around here? ROFL

You're are fine

In the next year or so i wanna get into photography..Dont wanna let people think im no good ... Thanks

 

[Ohio_Doug]

Re: Signal tree pics...

Interesting... how big is the tree? Just a thought but it does'nt look old enough to have been around when the natives were

 

[latrans]

Re: Signal tree pics...

I would guess that tree is about 50 years old and maybe, maybe, depending on species as much as 100 years. Don't kill the messenger but I doubt that is a signal tree.

 

[GroundS.KeepeR]

Re: Signal tree pics...

Interesting... how big is the tree? Just a thought but it does'nt look old enough to have been around when the natives were

wasent to big around in size ..I also was a little iffy about it ..But the gentlemen told me that it was one ... mabe someone will know for sure !

 

[GroundS.KeepeR]

Re: Signal tree pics...

I would guess that tree is about 50 years old and maybe, maybe, depending on species as much as 100 years. Don't kill the messenger but I doubt that is a signal tree.

really ..Can i have more info on why you dont think so ?

 

[Shortstack]

Re: Signal tree pics...

I, too, don't think those trees are old enough to be real signal or trail trees. The real deal trees would have to be in the area of 100 to 200 years old. Remember, 100 years would put it only back to 1910.

 

[Tnmountains]

Re: Signal tree pics...

I can only see the bark,, so just by seeing that I am guessing Popular?

 

[GroundS.KeepeR]

Re: Signal tree pics...

I can only see the bark,, so just by seeing that I am guessing Popular?

Yes its a Popular tree ...Help me out here Tn .. ..I had to take my Jeep threw alot of stuff to see this ..Is it the real deal?

 

[Smee]

Re: Signal tree pics...

www.mountainstewards.org . . .

Most trail trees have what are called "thong marks" (thus the name "thong trees"). The marks would look similar to the ones on this tree, although the shape could be much different:



Most First Nations people in the Americas ("Indian tribes") used trees to mark trails, shelter, water sources, etc. It just is not normally discussed in public, even with other First Nations people.

Contrary to what you may be told by some here, a true trail tree or thong tree is NOT --- IS NOT --- any sort of treasure marker. However, the trails that existed and were marked by these trees may have been used to access areas, and the trees used as "landmarks".

For instance, in southeast Arkansas, there are NO KGC legends and yet I have records of almost 100 trees in that corner of the state.

If anyone wants to learn more about these trees, PM me or visit the above site listed at the beginning of this post.

 

[Smee]

Re: Signal tree pics...

I, too, don't think those trees are old enough to be real signal or trail trees. The real deal trees would have to be in the area of 100 to 200 years old. Remember, 100 years would put it only back to 1910.

Hi Shortstack. Good observation, but not always reliable. The age of the trees would depend on their location as well as the size of the trunk. For example, a Ponderosa Pine would have been bent by the Utes (they called them "prayer trees") and at the altitude they are located will live for up to 800 years. Similarly an Aspen tree can live for long periods there because of the seasons, and still look relatively young.

In most locations, the trees would need to be about 200 years old because of the removals from the southeastern U.S. being prior to 1840, although there are accounts of First Nations peoples wandering back to favorite hunting grounds well into the 20th century which could open the possibility of more modern trees, but it isn't likely.

Remember, there are instances where a casualty tree (a tree that has been damaged) may look much like a trail tree. One must look for the proper marks. If it is real, they will be there.

I liken the process to Bonsai, which contorts a real tree to grow in an unusual shape and restricts its growth to keep it small. Similarly, the process of creating a trail tree would likewise stunt the growth to some extent. Again, the marks are the proof . . . along with a dendrochronologist's examination by coring of the tree and counting the growth rings.

One small tree found in Georgia can definitively be dated to before the signing of the U.S. Constitution. The Keziah Tree actually predates Columbus' arrival here. It has been confirmed to be over 800 years old.

 

[SnakemanBill]

Re: Signal tree pics...

I, too, don't think those trees are old enough to be real signal or trail trees. The real deal trees would have to be in the area of 100 to 200 years old. Remember, 100 years would put it only back to 1910.

I concur, do you concur?

 

[Smee]

Re: Signal tree pics...

Once again, it depends on the altitude, the climate and other factors. There is a 10" white oak tree (diameter measured at 3' from the ground) that was dated back to the 1770's. This tree doesn't look old enough, but for nature to create the bear would be a trick.

This tree predates the "removal" of the Cherokee in 1838.

Remember, you stunt the growth by any restricting you do to the trunk.

The process of creating these trees involved:

• Bending the trunk
• Cutting the trunk off just above the first, second, or third limb (had different meanings)
• Tethering or otherwise binding the tree in place
• Sometimes removing the bark, burning it, and then replacing on the tree to create a "blaze"
• Sometimes splitting the trunk where cut off and placing either a stone or other foreign object inside

That is why one must look for the marks to determine whether or not it is really a marker tree.

 

[joshuaream]

Re: Signal tree pics...

This tree doesn't look old enough, but for nature to create the bear would be a trick.

The bear is cool, but I'd say given the billions upon billions of trees out there it would be easier to explain a random act of mother nature making one vs a native caring for a single tree long enough to make a face out of knots and burls... Carving it would be one thing, they certainly had the skill and artistry to do that, but to induce small nicks and dings over the course of decades to get it to grow like that is hard for me to believe.

(The US has 700 plus million acres of forests remaining, at 100 or more trees per acre is 70 Billion trees, probably lots more counting yards, parks, farms, river sides, and other areas not counted as forests.)

I don't doubt that Signal Trees existed because there is historical evidence for them, but I don't think they are as common as some people think. There was a row of trees along a river in Kentucky that were identified and dated as being 1700’s era signal trees, but I've always wondered why the Natives needed signal trees if they were just following a river… My fishing guide here in South Florida can keep track of where he is in 70,000 acres of everglades just because he’s been doing it for years. I’ve gone fishing with him a handful of times and already recognize certain landmarks as we go to the same two or three spots (a big clump of trees, an open area of water, a low grass mound, etc. I have to imagine the Natives doing it full time since they were able to walk would be even more in tune with where they were. Especially if they were in an area with hills, mountains, rivers, etc.

 

[Smee]

Re: Signal tree pics...

In the process of going down the highways today, you see signs telling you which highway you're on . . . and whether it is an interstate, federal or state highway. More importantly, there are signs telling you where to exit for "Fernwood, MS" (Interstate 55) for example.

If you come to an exit sign today, and you see a sign for a Burger King restaurant, you know that you can leave the highway there and get some eats.

A line of trees don't necessarily point the trail, except at river crossings. For instance this tree:

It points to a remaining Cherokee stone Weir. It is even visible on Google Earth. Kinda like a restaurant where you pick your own fish.

Other trees marked good hunting, where to exit the trail to find "living water", the term for fresh water available year round - maybe a stream or a spring, a good place to camp might have two or more uprights. other trees might mark a cave or overhang where one could find shelter.

Keziah tree . . . how do you explain the Buffalo, including white horn? How about the turtle?

Some refuse to acknowledge that this could be anything other than casualty trees. It's your prerogative. Maybe we can ask this guy?