Lyndonville Shoe Trees – Lyndonville, New York - Atlas Obscura
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Lyndonville Shoe Trees

Lyndonville, New York

A tree full of wishes and footwear. 

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Lyndonville Shoe Trees Chris Clemens; Rochester, NY
Lyndonville Shoe Trees Chris Clemens; Rochester, NY
Lyndonville Shoe Trees Chris Clemens; Rochester, NY
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Shoe trees are a phenomena that pop up all over the place, all of them loaded with legend, but rarely explained as much more than a tradition of the area.

The Shoe Tree of Middlegate was said to be started by newlyweds in a quarrel that ended with good fortune, while the Albany Shoe Tree has no story, just a lot of participation from the community. The Lyndonville Shoe Trees are made up of four different trees, and have a variety of legends depending on who you ask, the most popular idea being simply that successfully catching your shoes in the branches will grant a wish. One thing that remains undisputed is that footwear has found its way into these branches for several decades, and despite officials discouraging the practice as environmentally irresponsible, the shoes remain. 

Know Before You Go

Four trees are within a triangular grassy median at the intersection.

shoe trees wishing trees flora outsider art plants
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Chris Clemens
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Chris Clemens
Rachel
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Edited by
Rachel, srchnresq
Published
December 4, 2013
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