Vidal, California -
Shoe Tree - Gone

The Shoe Tree at its best. It has always been our stop on our way to the Laughlin River Run the last week of April. Each year we still stop in remembrance. It was as American as Harley Davidson, and may be gone, but never forgotten. [Kenny Eisert, 03/18/2008]

This is the tree you mentioned as being near to Vidal on Route 62, which has since been burned down. This is a particularly good picture of it, though. [Paul D. DeRocco, 01/26/2006]

The shoe tree near Vidal Junction is no more. It has been burned down, apparently deliberately. All that is left is a strange looking burnt trunk and limbs, with some charred and melted shoes hanging from it. A tragic sight. [Jim Atkins, 08/14/2004]

[RA: We wonder about the fate of the Underwear Tree in nearby Rice, California.... February 2005: Philip Deslippe provided this photo of the remnants of Vidal's once noble shoe tree.]

In a barren desert where there is nothing but mountains on the horizon, you will happen upon a lonely spent tree along the side of Hwy 177/62 that has hundreds of shoes hanging from it. A Shoe Tree. What a strange sight! [danielle, 03/19/2004]

This old desert tree has developed the attraction of countless pairs of old shoes, as well as some odd assortments of shirts. The tree is on the south side of the road, best viewed from the west side of the tree but plainly visible any direction. Small sign at the bottom reads: "I am a tree...why are you killing me. Don't be a punk, take back your junk. I am a tree, remember me." [Richard Blackwell, 08/09/2002]