The Cherokees may have left more than the Trail of Tears across the country - they may also have left a trail of trees during their brief occupation of Northwest Arkansas.

Like signs along our highways, the so-called trail trees, or thong trees, were selected and shaped along footpaths to indicate directions of travel, safe fords of streams, shortcuts over ridges and permanent sources of water and shelter.

As young saplings, they were bent over a forked stick and tied down with leather thongs to form a distinctive “L” shape easily recognized and “read” by travelling brethren.

Nearly 200 years later, some of the trail trees remain as historic signposts of the past, but they are fast disappearing as they reach the limits of their natural life spans.