So you are wondering what a thong tree is. There are a number of theories, but the predominant one seems to be that Native Americans (primarily the Osage) “shaped” these trees to mark important locations. They would bend a sapling (usually an oak) and tie it up with a piece of leather (called a thong) and let it grow that way. Basically the tree would look like an “L” lying on its side.

We became interested in these unique trees when we discovered one on our property in the Missouri Ozarks. Ours points to the gap under the ridge that would have provided shelter or perhaps an easier path through the hills.

Native Americans would use them to point out sources of water, food, shelter, or safe places. Some believe that the early settlers and some of the outlaws of the Old West would also use these trees. Legends claim that Jesse James and Billy the Kid used them to mark where they had hidden their “loot.”

Currently, there are several people who are locating and tracking these trees to see if there is a correlation between their locations and the Trail of Tears. The theory is that the Cherokee and other tribes marked their walk with these trees. There is a wonderful website maintained by Mountain Stewards that chronicles these great historic trees. Most of the trees are found in Arkansas, Missouri, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Oklahoma. But there are some trees in most states.

There are also variations in the name: Indian trees, marker trees, message trees, water trees, or buffalo trees (there is a theory that early Native Americans would dry or “tan” buffalo skins on the curve of these trees) .