Indian Marker Trees?

[SD51]

We live in Michigan where the Potawatomi Indians resided many years ago. Both of these trees are near our property and I was wondering if these are Indian Marker Trees? Thanks for any responses.

 

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[releventchair]

A prominent "nose" where cut is common on many.
I don't see tradition trail trees in your pics , but am no authority on them either.

There is a white oak (?) in S.W. Mi. I've seen a photo of a nephew in front of.
Other too but none come to mind at the moment.
Farther North we looked over several definitely manipulated trees in the same area that were a bit too young to have been historic native caused.
Though , who did the manipulation was unknown.
Great Lakes Trail Marker Tree Society | Trail Marker Trees | Phot Gallery

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I see randomly occurring trees and branches. That don't necessarily "mark" anything.

 

[Tnmountains]

I will say there are very few true Indian marker trees now days. .Most are naturally occurring some are minuplated. What causes most trees to have the bend is when another tree falls on it as a young tree or sappling and bends the tree to the ground. As the limb or old tree rots the bent tree get strength and mass and grows towards the sun with a crooked bend.
I have discussed this with many foresters who were also artifact hounds. Big beach trees will hold carvings but as the tree grows and gets taller and wider the carvings get harder to read. I have some carving on trees from 50 years ago I did and you can still see them.
Hope this help when you see those trees are bent and up.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Just look like trees to me.

Next question would be what were the Potawatomi Indians doing there in the 1930's? Maybe marking trails?

 

[releventchair]

Just look like trees to me.

Next question would be what were the Potawatomi Indians doing there in the 1930's? Maybe marking trails?

The United States Census of 1930 returned with a figure of 89 Potawatomi in Michigan. More roamed about prior to that whom had avoided removal. Not sure how accurate a survey was.
Maybe wandering old trails more than remarking them , but who knows?

I don't want to know the o.p.'s location , but there are sites know for certain traditional purposes. Would not be a surprise had some been revisited at times.

Other nations existed here too still.

Here's a group at a C.C.C. camp in the thirties.

 

[Upham]

Just look like trees to me.

Next question would be what were the Potawatomi Indians doing there in the 1930's? Maybe marking trails?

Exactly! How old are these trees? I don't think any are 2-300 years old.

 

[dognose]

I concur with Tnmountains, those trees have long disappeared from the landscape.

I cut a lot of firewood in my woods and am out there often. I see all sorts of odd trees. Especially now with many falling due to the emerald ash borer. They tops and large limbs fall on smaller trees causing misshapes.

 

[Rebel - KGC]

We live in Michigan where the Potawatomi Indians resided many years ago. Both of these trees are near our property and I was wondering if these are Indian Marker Trees? Thanks for any responses.


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View attachment 1686218

No, not "markers"...

 

[Rebel - KGC]

A prominent "nose" where cut is common on many.
I don't see tradition trail trees in your pics , but am no authority on them either.

There is a white oak (?) in S.W. Mi. I've seen a photo of a nephew in front of.
Other too but none come to mind at the moment.
Farther North we looked over several definitely manipulated trees in the same area that were a bit too young to have been historic native caused.
Though , who did the manipulation was unknown.
Great Lakes Trail Marker Tree Society | Trail Marker Trees | Phot Gallery

True, no "nose" or "bow" (elbow in our area), NO "marker' tree.

 

[pa plateau hiker]

Why would Indians be making marker trees in the 1930s. With all the logging roads to walk on and there were automobiles to travel in that era.

 

[A2coins]

Good to see you doi g some research this winter is crappy I havent even got out yet this year and another artic blast min and tues I know there was lots of Indian activity around here so ya never know .

 

[releventchair]

Why would Indians be making marker trees in the 1930s. With all the logging roads to walk on and there were automobiles to travel in that era.

Why are you focused on 1930?

The/A group that documents them seeks 250 year old or older trees.

IF a native created a trail or marker tree in the thirties it would be for their own reason. (?)

Trees could be stunted by being manipulated. Time of year started. Drought , fire , ect. too.

A qualified forester is better at estimating age than a casual observer.
Oaks can live for centuries. Maple were used as were elms and others. Elm disease took it's toll on the elm though.

Anyways, if it is believed through perception that age limits a tree's life to less than 150-200 years and means no trees exist from pre-1930 ; that is an error of a theory.

Here's an estimated 350 year old.

 

[pa plateau hiker]

Because 2 other posters mentioned the 1930's. I was questioning that too. Why the 1930's?

 

[Tom_in_CA]

... What causes most trees to have the bend is when another tree falls on it as a young tree or sappling and bends the tree to the ground.....

Aaaahh, the "more plausible explanation". Ok. Fair explanation of odd-shaped branches. And I notice the curious word "most". I guess this holds out the hope that some curious and uncanny shapes could mean: Treasure. Eh ?

 

[releventchair]

Aaaahh, the "more plausible explanation". Ok. Fair explanation of odd-shaped branches. And I notice the curious word "most". I guess this holds out the hope that some curious and uncanny shapes could mean: Treasure. Eh ?

You know of any proven Euro/Spanish /Alien treasures marked by native trail/marker trees?

 

[Tom_in_CA]

You know of any proven Euro/Spanish /Alien treasures marked by native trail/marker trees?

No. But that doesn't prove that "un-canny tree shapes" don't point to treasure. It just proves that ......... durned them guys for planting all the decoy markers, and durned mother nature for making a bunch that have naturally occurring explanations

 

[releventchair]

No. But that doesn't prove that "un-canny tree shapes" don't point to treasure. It just proves that ......... durned them guys for planting all the decoy markers, and durned mother nature for making a bunch that have naturally occurring explanations

There are some neat shapes and stresses shown on some.
Winter snow and ice can factor too.

As kids there was a tree in an isolated chunk of state forest we ran that some one long ago had made two horizontal cuts on the trunk , and then cut vertical on the sides to remove a slab of trunk about 12x 16 inches.
With heartwood missing the bark still kept the tree living.
Bulged bark covered edges and ends of cuts hinted at it being an old injury.

Pictures would be fun to show a leprechauns stash for gold , but alas....

It was a "bee tree". (No , I don't have solid evidence of what happened.)
Honey bees being Euro introductions , it could have been deemed foreign treasure by who ever "lined" the bee's and found their "gold"?

Don't recall the dates on newspapers pasted on the walls of a janky saggy tiny several square foot shack for insulation nearby. (Within a half mile probably) but with no known other dwellings the time frame /age suited the tree's violation , to us kids anyway.
Making a few combs of honey worth even more to whom ever stayed there.

There is the story of "Boomer" who wheeled and dealed fish from railcar to a village near , and his relocation to a steel shack after being threatened by competition , and that may have been his earlier bee find. And board shack.
Summers meant his car parked in a usual area at a usual time with the door open and water for his dog while he wet his whistle at a certain place.
Wonder if anything points at his hidden money? If any survived him.

That bee tree was a landmark for us though. Who ever found it/marked it first. It's opening faced the "old" dirt road distant enough to not be seen till winter. And that only if traffic was on it.

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

No. But that doesn't prove that "un-canny tree shapes" don't point to treasure. It just proves that ......... durned them guys for planting all the decoy markers, and durned mother nature for making a bunch that have naturally occurring explanations

I suppose you spoil Easter for your grandkids as well?

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

There are some neat shapes and stresses shown on some.
Winter snow and ice can factor too.

As kids there was a tree in an isolated chunk of state forest we ran that some one long ago had made two horizontal cuts on the trunk , and then cut vertical on the sides to remove a slab of trunk about 12x 16 inches.
With heartwood missing the bark still kept the tree living.
Bulged bark covered edges and ends of cuts hinted at it being an old injury.

Pictures would be fun to show a leprechauns stash for gold , but alas....

It was a "bee tree". (No , I don't have solid evidence of what happened.)
Honey bees being Euro introductions , it could have been deemed foreign treasure by who ever "lined" the bee's and found their "gold"?

Don't recall the dates on newspapers pasted on the walls of a janky saggy tiny several square foot shack for insulation nearby. (Within a half mile probably) but with no known other dwellings the time frame /age suited the tree's violation , to us kids anyway.
Making a few combs of honey worth even more to whom ever stayed there.

There is the story of "Boomer" who wheeled and dealed fish from railcar to a village near , and his relocation to a steel shack after being threatened by competition , and that may have been his earlier bee find. And board shack.
Summers meant his car parked in a usual area at a usual time with the door open and water for his dog while he wet his whistle at a certain place.
Wonder if anything points at his hidden money? If any survived him.

That bee tree was a landmark for us though. Who ever found it/marked it first. It's opening faced the "old" dirt road distant enough to not be seen till winter. And that only if traffic was on it.

Sounds like a tree that happened to fall on a land boundary. Surveyors would cut a "window" out so they could run a true line. They usually hammered in a small nail as a sight. Made figuring things easier.