Talking Trees & Spirit Trails: New York State Native American Trail Trees - Paperback

by Carl Andrew Koehler (Author)

So-called "Talking Trees" are culturally-modified trees which were used by the First Nations of the United States and Canada, to indicate pathways, water sources, and safe or sacred places; like "exit signs" on woodland highways. These hardwood trees were culturally-modified as saplings to grow into unique shapes as landscape markers by Woodland Native American cultures. The author has found more than 20 of these "living artifacts" in his native New York State. Using dendrochronology and cartography methods coupled with historical data, the author has found that several of these trees are truly old enough to be ancient "living artifacts". Interspersed with his anthro-biological research are engaging stories from the author's outdoor adventures; and spirit teachings taught by the trees to their adopted guardian, He-finds-trees.

Author Biography

Carl Andrew Koehler, (also known as He-finds-trees) is an arborist and historian, naturalist and author from upstate New York, who follows the Good Red Path of the Haudenosaunee. He travels throughout the east and mid-west with his hiking companion Elkhound-mix "Gyfa" exploring and studying natural, scenic, and historic areas. In a former, romantic era, he would have been known as a traveling naturalist. However, that leisurely gentleman's occupation no longer pays the bills in today's economy, so Carl obtained a conservation biology degree from SUNY Cortland. He has worked in forestry science for several prestigious research universities, for the National Science Foundation and the National Institute for Climate Change Research, and most recently as an arborist in private environmental consulting industry. Carl once told his dendrology classmates that in twenty years, they would read about him "saving trees." It has not been twenty years, but, "Talking Trees & Spirit Trails" begins to fulfill that prediction he made to his class.