Area’s landmark ‘shoe tree’ burns

Forest Service firefighters responded to a report of smoke in the Priest Lake area Thursday evening to find a single tree engulfed in flames.

The tree is known locally as the “shoe tree” because of hundreds of pairs of shoes that have been nailed to the trunk or hung from the branches. It was destroyed. Melting shoe rubber made the fire difficult to put out, officials said.

The tree had been a local landmark for many years despite Forest Service officials discouraging people from adding footwear.

“I really feel for the community’s loss of this tree. People started adding shoes to this tree as early as the 1940s, so we appreciate the history and the community’s attachment, but we would like to discourage the public from creating another shoe tree to take this one’s place,” said District Ranger Dick Kramer.

The cause is under investigation. Anyone with information should call the Forest Service’s Priest Lake office, (208) 443-2512.