The origin of bent trees is an interesting topic that incites a great deal of passion from those who believe these trees are of manmade origin. The Trail Trees disciples, as I call them, feel strongly about the validity of their beliefs and view skeptics as flat out wrong and closed-minded.
But the trees are of natural origin. I've attached a PDF of the story I wrote four years ago. It isn't exhaustive, but it goes into alot more detail than my post up above.
Still... awesome to see. I LOVE trees, and all the more when they don't just go straight up. Who cares how they got that way? Just beautiful anyway.
" Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt. "
Found this beauty around Bland, VA on the AT
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Does this count???
There are some local trails near me in which this past couple of months about 20 trees have been bent, all the trees are about 15 ft high and have been bent by the local teenagers who shimmy up the tree and ride the tree down as it bends, Unfortunately many of the trees may die because the bark is damaged at the bend.
I'll post a photo when i get a chance.