Wild South is working with the Mountain Stewards of Georgia to identify old growth trail marker trees that were used along Native American trails, with the uniquely shaped trees serving as guides.  Oaks were primarily chosen, but beeches have been utilized where available.

Pictured here is Cherokee descendant Billy Shaw standing by a typical "thong" tree, named for the technique used by Native Americans who bent and tied a sapling to the ground to produce a permanent 90 degree angle in the tree. This trail marker tree stands on the Blevin's Gap path, Huntsville, AL, a well established Indian trail that connected Pulaski, Tennessee with Gunter's Landing in Alabama.

Mountain Stewards has cored and dated many of trail marker trees. They have developed an interactive map on Google Earth where they are laying out the Southeastern Indian trail system and locating these trees, with photos, on the map. This project will provide an interesting angle to the increasing of public awareness of old growth trees and the cultural heritage elements associated with public and private properties.