Rather, they were intentionally shaped by the Native Americans so that they could be easily recognized.
Examples of these trees have been found all across the United States and throughout Canada.
Eventually the restraining stake is removed, leaving a knob - a distinctive characteristic of trail marker trees.
Many of these trail trees have disappeared as they were easily overlooked and fell victim to development and disaster.
However, authentic examples of trail marker trees can be found at several inconspicuous locations.
The location of some of the trees are kept secret to protect them.
Another non-profit, Great Lakes Trail Marker Tree Society, has documented a large number of trees ontheir website.
