There is a very famous tree in the Everglades known as the Z tree that thousands of people have photographed. People have driven for hours to get that photo. The picture here is of a less famous Z tree, not far off the beaten path in Dutchtown. I am probably the only person in the world who has photographed it.
I can’t speak to the history of this particular tree, but many bent trees did not occur naturally. Many have been found in Georgia, Texas, and near the Great Lakes. We also know bending trees was a common practice by Cherokees and Creeks, so it isn’t surprising that they are found here, as Dutchtown was once Creek land.
Native Americans used this method of tree bending to navigate the land. There were various methods to cause the bending. One way was to use sinew, rawhide, or vines to secure a bend in the tree. Another way was to use rocks or dirt to anchor part of the tree to the ground. After a year or so, the cause of the bend would be removed, but the bend would be permanent. The purpose of these bends was sometimes as simple as an indication of a path, like trail markers painted on trees today. They were also used to indicate directions toward water or other landmarks.
My childhood friend, Gene Morris, who lived just over the field, introduced me to hunting for arrowheads. If you are dedicated, you can find them in Dutchtown. It’s incredible how little environmental impact Native Americans left on the land. After 200 years, there is very little left to indicate they were ever here. If you are observant, though, you can still catch a glimpse of their history.