Unionville, Indiana -
Gobbler's Rock-in-Tree - Gone

Gobbler's Rock Out Of Tree! It is with deepest sadness and regret that I report to the readers of RoadsideAmerica.com that the tree inexplicably supporting the large sandstone block in Yellowwood Park in Indiana has fallen over. We visited on 13 June 2006, followed the very good directions given here, and came upon the disaster scene -- which must have taken place only within the last few months, given that the leaves were still green. The uprooted oak was on the ground with the partially dislodged rock.

We think that whatever the rock-in-tree's origin (possibly a small crane was used to lift it into place), its weight overbalanced the tree. Visitors can still find a few smaller rocks perched nearby. [Fred Porcheddu, 06/19/2006]

The park office was closed but maps were still available. It does not say anything about it on the map, but the roads are listed that were in my internet print-out. Yellowwood Road had a few low places with water going across, but shallow enough to drive through. The path is not as clear as you would expect. No signs. Fortunately I met two couples coming back just as I was ready to veer off the wrong way, and there were five other people staring up at the rock when I arrived. Otherwise the directions are good. [Gina, 10/29/2004]

Rock in Tree -- Gobbler's Rock -- so-called because it was found by a turkey hunter in Yellowwood State Forest. The triangular piece of sandstone sits about 30 feet up in the fork of a chestnut oak tree, and is about 4 feet across and a foot thick. It is estimated to weigh about 400 pounds. How did it get there? Did the tree grow under it? Pranksters? Hoaxers? UFOs? Who knows?! Kinda neat, though... [Tracy Monroe, 08/14/2004]

[RA: Tipster Michael Moss recommends bug repellant while visiting the site.]

At the Limon State Forest in Bloomington, I saw a very odd thing. At the top of a 40-foot tree is a big boulder about 4-foot across resting in the fork of tree. This is deep in the woods of the park, well off any the roads or paths unaccessible to any heavy equipment due to the thick woods.

I have asked others that live there in Bloomton about this,and it turns out many have seen it. How something that large could have got there is unknowb to me (my guess is a tornado). I had my GPS and recorded the location: GPS N 39*12.604, W 086*22.314. [Randy Stoops, 03/30/2003]

A refrigerator sized limestone rock, 40 feet high in a tree. This 1,000 pound wonder sways with the wind way up in an oak tree in the Yellow Wood state forest in southern Indiana. Did it rise with the tree's grouth? Artistic vandals? No one knows... A great excuse for a walk in the woods. [Tom Smith, 10/14/2000]

[RA: Sept. 2003: Eric Isaacson provided some details on the directions.]