Talk:Shoe tree (device)

'Shoe Tree' is also the generic term for a tree that is used for the odd custom of hanging shoes from its branches. There are numerous shoe trees across the USA, Canada and the UK. No one seems to know quite why they started (or when) but earliest records I can find go back to early 20th century. There was apparently a custom involving a new bride and groom tying one shoe each together by the laces and throwing them into a tree for good luck and fertility. This seems to be an extension of various shoe throwing good luck charms that are as old as shoes themselves. Tying old shoes to the back of the wedding car is another manifestation of this. Some good stuff on US trees can be found at: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/set/shoetrees.html

I'm just researching some UK trees and will post info when I have finished.

steve.colgan@btinternet.com


 * See Shoe tree (roadside attraction)

Saint Helen Shoe Tree
Shoe Trees are found all over the State of Michigan including, St. Helen, Kalkaska, Coopersville and Walled Lake. The St. Helen Shoe Tree is located on F-97 between St. Helen and Kirtland Community College. One of the instructors at Kirtland Community College Clay Horton pointed out that people have been throwing shoes on the tree for seven years. Richfield Police Officers discovered the tree blocking the road on March 3, 2010 right before 10:00pm and called Roscommon County Central Dispatch. It was suspected that vandals cut the tree down with a chainsaw. The Road Commissioner Manager Tim O'Rouke was then notified and workers used a front end loader to push the tree to the side of the road. According to Richfield Township Public Safety Director Brad Bannon no suspects have been identified. Why was a police report not started when Vandalism was suspected? If a crime was suspected why the tree and the surrounding area’s being aren’t treated as a crime scene? Which begs the questions why is the DNR not involved with a tree being cut down out of season? Will an investigation be done to capture the vandals at large? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.111.196.6 (talk) 15:15, 17 March 2010 (UTC)
 * This page is about a device that maintains the shape of a shoe. This should be moved to Shoe tree (roadside attraction).