If you see a bent tree in the forest, start looking around immediately

Nowadays it’s easy to navigate around because of the number of apps and gadgets that facilitate our everyday life.

In the past, people needed to find ways of marking trails, especially when they were forced to go through thick forests.

Now if you wonder how people were able to determine the right direction without maps or GPS, here’s the answer.

Native Americans did this by bending trees. So how did they do it? By inserting a piece of the tree into a hole and allowing the tree to grow around it.

There are of course trees that have irregular shape as a result of Mother Nature. So how did the indigenous people know which trees are man made and which are bent by nature?

The ones Native Americans bent have a distinguished looks; a noticeable nose, or notch that sticks out at the end of the bend as shown in the photo below.

Other details that can help you determine which trees were modified by men are the scars from where the straps were placed when the trees were young.

Most of these trees are over 150 and even 200 years old.
As stated in the national American Forests website:

“Across the U.S., you can find trees that are oddly shaped. Their trunks have odd kinks in them, or bend at strange angles. While some of them may indeed be simple quirks of nature, most of these trees are actually landmarks that helped guide indigenous people on their way. Native Americans would bend young trees to create permanent trail markers, designating safe paths through rough country and pointing travelers toward water, food or other important landmarks. Over the years, the trees have grown, keeping their original shape, but with their purpose all but forgotten as modern life sprang up around them. Today, we may not need these “trail trees” to navigate, but their place in history makes them invaluable. Imagine the stories these trees could tell.”

In order for these trees to be preserved, the Mountain Stewards website was created. The site mapped out more than 1,000 bent trees all over the country and documented exactly where they were!

For more on this interesting history fact and the bent tress across America go to the video below.

Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.

Related Posts

10 minutes ago / Family announced the sad news of Legend Clint Eastwood / Farewell in tears..

Clinton Eastwood Jr. (born May 31, 1930) is an American actor and film director. After achieving success in the Western TV series Rawhide, Eastwood rose to international…

JIMMY KIMMEL SUSPENDED IN CONTROVERSY OVER CHARLIE KIRK COMMENTS

LOS ANGELES — ABC is taking Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show off the air indefinitely amid controversy over his comments about Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer Tyler Robinson….

It breaks our hearts to confirm the news about the great Jay Leno, 74

The 74-year-old auto enthusiast is making end of life arrangements and leaving behind a chunk of cash to a museum that honors cars, a passion that almost…

30 Minutes ago in California, Sen. Adam Schiff was confirmed as…See more

30 minutes ago in California, Sen. Adam Schiff was confirmed as making headlines once again after a significant political development brought his name to the forefront. Schiff,…

JIMMY KIMMEL SUSPENDED IN CONTROVERSY OVER CHARLIE KIRK COMMENTS

Jimmy Kimmel has been suspended indefinitely by ABC after making divisive comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The host suggested the killer was a conservative, despite…

Donald Trump’s concerning 2 words to Melania after UK landing, revealed by lip reader

Donald and Melania Trump Arrive in UK for Windsor Stay Former U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania landed in Britain and headed directly to Windsor…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *