P4. 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!

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In today’s world, navigating is as simple as using a smartphone app or GPS, but in the past, it was a different story. Long before technology, people had to come up with creative methods to mark trails and find their way through dense forests. One of the most fascinating techniques used by Native Americans was tree bending. This method allowed them to create living markers that would point the way through unfamiliar and rugged terrain.

So how exactly did Native Americans bend trees to serve as trail markers? They would manipulate young saplings by tying them down or inserting parts of the tree into a hole, shaping the tree as it grew. Over time, the tree would hold its distinctive bent shape, creating a reliable, long-lasting natural marker. Unlike trees shaped by natural forces like wind or storms, these bent trees—known as trail trees or marker trees—have a very intentional appearance, often with a distinct "nose" or notch at the bend.

To differentiate between naturally bent trees and those shaped by human hands, there are telltale signs. Trail trees often display scars from the straps or other materials used to shape them when they were young. Additionally, the angle of the bend in these trees is usually sharp and clearly man-made. In some cases, these trees are well over 150 or even 200 years old, standing as living history, quietly guiding travelers through the generations.

According to the American Forests website:

"Across the U.S., you can find trees that are oddly shaped... 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... 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."

To ensure these unique markers are preserved, the Mountain Stewards organization has created a project that maps and documents more than 1,000 bent trees across the country. This effort helps preserve the legacy of these trees and the cultural history they represent.

These bent trees are living connections to the past, offering us a glimpse into the resourcefulness of Native Americans and their deep connection to the natural world. Preserving them is not just about saving trees; it’s about honoring history and maintaining a link to the people who once roamed these lands.

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