CULTURALLY SCARRED TREES OF MONTANA
This is a tree that has been scarred by the American Indian practice of peeling back the bark to obtain the rich nutrient cambian layer, which had been a good source of nutrients for tribes for thousands of years.This practice was usually performed in the Spring when the cambian layer is sweetened from the sap which tastes similar to maple syrup. This practice did not kill the trees but left this elongated scar.
During the 1805 Expedition of Lewis and Clark, they noted seeing these trees that had their bark peeled off.
There are many of these "scarred trees" in this area of Montana as they say this was a popular Indian trail leading over the Bitterroot Mountains into Idaho and beyond. We feel fortunate that these giant symbols of the past are still standing even in this subdivision just down the road from us. I have been fortunate enough to find several of these trees in the forest near several campgrounds near our home here in Montana.
2 comments:
What a great tree, I didn't know that about the Indians and the bark. I have seen trees scars almost identical to this one but never thought about the cause. Thanks for the information.
Judy
Neat facts! I would love to travel the West!
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