Driving these days without a GPS is unthinkable. and that is a result of the fact that I/we let technology take over our lives. The recent development of the internet of brains is not unusual.

Though what happened before we had GPS and maps is another reason why they can be such great guides. When technology was not yet available, how did people find their way in the woods?

There appears to be a story behind bent trees that relates to the hidden secrets found in nature.

As stated in the national American Forests website:

There are peculiarly shaped trees all over the United States. Their trunks bend at strange angles or have peculiar kinks in them. The majority of these trees are in fact landmarks that assisted native people in finding their way, even though some of them may just be oddities of the natural world.

To make permanent trail markers, Native Americans would bend young trees. These markers would indicate safe routes through rugged terrain and direct travelers to food, water, or other significant locations. The trees have grown over time, maintaining their original shape, but as modern life has sprung up around them, their purpose has all but vanished.

These “trail trees” may not be necessary for us to navigate through today, but their significance to history makes them priceless. Think of the tales these trees could tell.

Yes, we are aware that Mother Nature created a lot of twisted and strangely shaped trees, but there aren’t many Native American activities that set them apart, and if a lost traveler were to distinguish between man-made and naturally occurring trees, they would be able to.

For instance, a lot of the trees in the forest, like the one in the above image, can be naturally bent. However, the trees that the Native Americans bent many years ago have a prominent nose, or notch, that protrudes at the end of the bend (see below).

This was made by growing the tree around a section of the tree that was inserted into a hole.