Steve Houser at Moss Haven, where there is an Indian marker tree candidate
An expert on Indian marker trees will speak in Dallas this weekend, and that is interesting because?
Because we have a possible Indian marker tree right here in the Lake Highlands neighborhood.
Many years ago when Native Americans were traveling through what is now Dallas, they marked their path by tying down sapling trees. As those baby marker trees grew, they maintained the bent shape. Today, some fully-grown arched trees remain.
In our June 2012 story, we spoke with neighbor Steve Houser, an expert on the topic, about the Moss Haven tree as well as others in the DFW area. These misshapen trees are few and far between, but a look at the big picture, gives one interesting visual evidence of the Indians’ travels.
Another expert, Dennis Downes, will speak at an event Saturday, Jan. 26 at 10 a.m., in the great hall of the Trinity River Audubon Center at 6500 Great Trinity Forest Way. It’s a 25-minute trek from our hood, but it’s a free presentation, so probably worth it, if you’re into this type of stuff.
The author of “Native American Trail Marker Trees” will speak this weekend.
Downes has worked for more than 30 years studying the history of marker trees, and he recently wrote a book, “Native American Trail Marker Trees”.
