The tree that gave the Warrenton Schnucks shopping center its name has been certified an authentic trail marking tree. Dennis Downes is an authority on Native American forms of land navigation. Downes has done research on these trees for over 30 years in 48 states and Canada. He authored “Native American Trail Marker Trees, Marking Paths Through the Wilderness.”Downes came to Warrenton to study the bent oak at Schnucks’ Bent Oak Crossing. His visit was made possible by the Thomas Kennedy Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).Karen Wright, DAR member and retired teacher, was closely involved with his visit.“He was thrilled to see our tree,” said Wright.Downes estimated that the tree is about 200 years old and pointing southeast.Wright said Downes saw a second tree in Warrenton, located on a golf course. That tree is mostly cut down. Downes said the second white oak tree is also about 200 years old and pointing southeast.Wright said Downes believed the two trees are related.Downes led an assembly at Daniel Boone Elementary School during his visit. Students had used instructions in his book to plant their own trail marking tree. Downes checked on the tree the students had planted.After his visit, Wright continues to think about the past and the future.“Our American Indian Trail Marker Tree, named Standing Tall Points the Way, won’t always be with us, but it has been authenticated and recorded to remind us of how different life in our past was,” she said.“Doesn’t that make you wonder how different life will be in our future?” she wondered.

Dennis Downes, far right, author of the book, “Native American Trail Marker Trees, Marking Paths Through the Wilderness,” visits the bent oak tree at Schnucks in Warrenton. Downes was in town to certify that the tree, the inspiration for the Schnucks shopping center's Bent Oak Crossing name, is a Trail Marker Tree. 

Submitted photo