Let's bring back the shoe tree!

[laveycrafter]

Okay, it was there, and got a little abused, but since it buned dowm, I have missed that damn tree in the middle of the desert.
So I propose this. I will plant a new mesquite tree, if I can get some people to water it on thier way to and from the River. We all have empty milk jugs, pool acid jugs, what ever, but 1 gallon of water every now and then until it gets established is necassary. So what do you say people, are you in?????????????????:idea:

[laveycrafter]

Oh yeah, no old beer recycling allowed. And no shoes until it grows up.:)

[Ziggy]

I would do that in a heartbeat...............as I did trying to save the old one.;) http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33573&stc=1&d=1182467492

[Stoneman]

I remember!
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33574&stc=1&d=1182468033

[thumbs]

Never heard of it. Whats the story? Where is/was it?

[Ziggy]

http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33575&stc=1&d=1182467961

[JB in so cal]

But there's a shoe fence nearby, right?:)

[Ziggy]

But there's a shoe fence nearby, right?:)
Just east of the double tracks.
Kinda funny after the tree was burned and removed subsequently, I'd see shoes propped up on various trees along Rice. None of them seemed to attract any more shoes, nor were they very substantial trees like our beloved ShoeTree was..............beleive it or not but I recall seeing an episode on Travel Channel once that took them to the shoe tree as a unofficial landmark..

[Havasu1986]

Never heard of it. Whats the story? Where is/was it?
The shoe tree was on Rice Rd. about 20 miles before Vidal junction. Someone started hanging shoes on it and everyone else followed. I'm not sure how it caught fire though. Now they hang the shoes on a fence nearby.

[Jyruiz]

Just east of the double tracks.
Kinda funny after the tree was burned and removed subsequently, I'd see shoes propped up on various trees along Rice. None of them seemed to attract any more shoes, nor were they very substantial trees like our beloved ShoeTree was..............beleive it or not but I recall seeing an episode on Travel Channel once that took them to the shoe tree as a unofficial landmark..
I saw that episode, but I think it was somewhere on Route 66.

[Stoneman]

I saw that episode, but I think it was somewhere on Route 66.
there's a shoe tree leaving amboy heading to the 40. Nothing like the one on the 62

[laveycrafter]

I remember there being a sign there too. As I recall a guy started the tradition, and later passed away, so people kept the tradition alive in his memory, its too bad some jackass burned it down.
Just imagine when it's 50 feet tall, and 50 years old, and your kids are on their way out to visit you in you Havasu retirement home, and they tell their kids that you raised that tree!
I don't want to get mushy, and would hate to upset someone, but perhaps we could plant it in memory of???????????Our Soldiers??????????Our fire/police officers????????Trimman??????????

[Quest4Fun]

Laveycrafter, I think planting a new tree is a great idea. I'm sure there are plenty of peeps that would water it. The hard part will be keeping the idiots from trying to burn/take it down!
We miss the shoe tree too.:( Didn't somebody start a bra tree at one time too??

[thumbs]

Didn't somebody start a bra tree at one time too??
I had one before I was married.

[laveycrafter]

I had one before I was married.
must of been next to the bj tree:D

[Quest4Fun]

I had one before I was married.
At least you still have the memories. :)

[RitcheyRch]

Cool idea. I would water it if went that way.

[Riveratz]

I think it is a great idea. Everytime I pass that spot my family misses seeing it.

[laveycrafter]

Im going to let this simmer awhile until I get some commitment, I travel out there every other week, so Im going to need some help on this one........:cool:

[Havasu1986]

Im going to let this simmer awhile until I get some commitment, I travel out there every other week, so Im going to need some help on this one........:cool:
Who planted and watered the original tree. :confused:

[riverbound]

Who planted and watered the original tree. :confused:
God. And he watered it with rain :D

[Havasu1986]

God. And he watered it with rain :D
Exactly...;)

[GHT]

Okay, it was there, and got a little abused, but since it buned dowm, I have missed that damn tree in the middle of the desert.
So I propose this. I will plant a new mesquite tree, if I can get some people to water it on thier way to and from the River. We all have empty milk jugs, pool acid jugs, what ever, but 1 gallon of water every now and then until it gets established is necassary. So what do you say people, are you in?????????????????:idea:
Where would you plant it? Next to the old one?

[laveycrafter]

In the same general area. It was always a good spot to get out and wee with the dogs. :)

[rivrrts429]

Thats funny you brought this up! Last weekend my wife was saying we need a new shoe tree. We always look over that way when we pass the old spot:cry: I go thru there most every weekend may - oct. I would definitely water it, maybe we could set up one of those online cameras like the agave cam to watch all the idiots stop and hang shoes.:D

[Insurance God]

My smelly shoes may have started the fire. If you plant another tree, I will put a new pair up to be safe. :D

[Nord]

Yeah, t:rolleyes: exactly what everyone in that area wants is another shoe tree

[cougar27mtr]

Lets do it!

[Throttle]

thats good stuff...
my kids still remember the shoe tree... they would have me wake them up to see it...
BTW, I think I saw what started the fire... some hot chick took off her panties and put them on the tree... her fire got put out, however her panties smoldered for days before the tree caught fire... I have never seen anything so small cause so much damage... but as we have learned, every fire starts small...

[Throttle]

oh yeah, I dont travel that way much any more, however I would stop to pee, I mean water if needed...:D

[That Guy]

I'm in....I miss that tree....F the jack-offs that burned it down....:mad:

[Throttle]

I'm in....I miss that tree....F the jack-offs that burned it down....:mad:
i did, didnt you read my post?

[Wozencraft]

The shoe tree was on Rice Rd. about 20 miles before Vidal junction. Someone started hanging shoes on it and everyone else followed. I'm not sure how it caught fire though. Now they hang the shoes on a fence nearby.
I believe it was about 2 years ago when the tree burned down. What's interesting is that my wife and I saw it burn. I don't remember the exact date, but I do remember it was a Wednesday night when we were traveling out to Havasu. Probably around midnight as we were driving toward Vidal Junction, we saw a car off in the distance pull back on the road and continue in the same direction as us. Not thinking anything of it, we noticed flames increasing off in the distance on the right-hand side. Not knowing it was the shoe tree, we approached the area and witnessed the tree pretty much at its maximum burn rate. The tree was engulfed with flames. I remember seeing the hanging pairs of shoes burning and falling off the tree randomly as they were on fire. The rubber soles were flammable but they seemed to burn slower while at the base of the tree. It was almost like there was a slow burning bomb fire at the base of the tree from the shoes. The upper part of the tree was also burning strong being that it was so dry out. It was a horrible site! We were just stopped right in the middle of the road starring at the tree in disbelief.
With seeing that car off in the distance as we approached, I have always wondered why I couldn't have been just a few minutes earlier. Not only would I have been an eyewitness to the burning but I could have identified the person(s) who caught it on fire. Of course, I am assuming it was arson from the car we saw. However, I can't imagine any other way the tree could have caught fire. There were no other fires in the area; it was the middle of the night thus the sun didn't magnify a coke bottle to start a fire; there were no lightning storms that night. Anyhow, I just wanted to share my experience since so many of you remember the tree as well.
As far as getting all of us to share the responsibility of watering a new tree, I think it will take too many years for the tree to grow to a similar size as the old one. Plus, there's always the risk of someone else setting the new tree on fire. I suggest we all put our money together and pay someone from Monster Garage to build a stainless steel tree to place in the old tree's place. Just imagine, it would be the right size with possibly more limbs to hang shoes. Plus, it would not be flammable!
Devin
----------------------
www.wozencraftinsurance.com

[Markos]

Make it out of threaded pipe and leave open couplings and Tees so we could all bring pipe pieces and screw them in on each trip.I bet it would grow faster than a real tree and it woulnt burn.:idea:

[Cigalert]

Make it out of threaded pipe and leave open couplings and Tees so we could all bring pipe pieces and screw them in on each trip.I bet it would grow faster than a real tree and it woulnt burn.:idea:
now that's a super duper idea....what size? 3/4" I don't think anyone wants to start trucking out 1 1/2" Galvy pipes but then again according to my wife...I have been wrong.

[Cole Trickle]

I don't travel that way unless it's early morning on a weekday but I like the idea!!!
Couple bags of quickcrete,posthole digger and some water jugs would make a good base. I used the stuff you don't have to mix on my fence posts and it has held strong.
Maybe do the base out of 1 1/2 and then do the branches out of 3/4.:D

[Riverguy92345]

That tree saved me a ticket as i was slowing down to leave my son's snickers. That CHP would of had me for sure...Still look for it.
Tell you what.. I will make a piece of 2 inch pipe 10 feet long with 3/4 couplings all over it. You guys can add things as you see fit.
Just let it cool down a little before i dig the whole.
We all agree????? Let me know.

[Cole Trickle]

That tree saved me a ticket as i was slowing down to leave my son's snickers. That CHP would of had me for sure...Still look for it.
Tell you what.. I will make a piece of 2 inch pipe 10 feet long with 3/4 couplings all over it. You guys can add things as you see fit.
Just let it cool down a little before i dig the whole.
We all agree????? Let me know.
That would be very cool!!
Whos land is it? I heard a story around a camp fire that the owner of the property burned the tree because they were sick of people pulling onto there property and littering.( You know how rumors go:idea: )
How big of a hole and how much concrete do you think you would need to support the structure?
Is there a better location?

[That Guy]

Make it out of threaded pipe and leave open couplings and Tees so we could all bring pipe pieces and screw them in on each trip.I bet it would grow faster than a real tree and it woulnt burn.:idea:
This is a really cool idea....it would actually grow....ok, now one of you fabrication specialists get working on this and let the rest of us know how we can help. I would do it myself but I think all you would end up finding was my dead body buried under 1000lbs of steel pipe on rice road....:D :)

[kindsvatercurt]

I would do that in a heartbeat...............as I did trying to save the old one.;) http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33573&stc=1&d=1182467492
i always remembered that tree as a wee lad, it was cool because it was the land mark for me, i always new we were getting close the rest of the drive actually had some f$##ing scenere and i was always up in my seat with my nose up on the glass checking out the river no matter how late we rolled out. damn good times, can't wait for my kids to have that same feeling when they see this big a$$ metal tree in the middle of the desert. (metal trees aren't we movin to the future fast enough as is.)

[Havasu Daytona]

I am all for creating or planting a new shoe tree. While we are at it, we should also create a new bra-lingerie tree to replace that one as well.
I remember it took two fires to destroy our beloved tree. The first fire mostly just cinged the tree as the shoes on the ground seemed to be destroyed by that fire. After the first fire, I like many others, took a full 5 gallon bottle of water mixed with Miracle Grow to help the fire-cinged shoe tree survive and hopefully recover. I did this every week on my way to Havasu.
Near the end of Summer in 2002, the second devastating fire took the life of our tree. I vividly remember stopping in horror and looking at the chard remains of the Shoe Tree. I couldn't help but think "what kind of idiot would do such a thing".
The original shoe tree was started as a memorial to cystic fibrosis. Look in the first photo. Many people stopped and took photos of the tree. Out of state snow birds, would stop their motohomes, take pictures and compliment me on watering an almost famous fire damaged tree in the middle of the desert.
I watched this tree grow long before it was the "Shoe Tree". I watched it grow since 1968, as my family and I passed it on our way to Lake Havasu and finally onto Black Meadow Landing. I remember as we passed that tree and a little while later, the railroad tracks, I thought hey, we are almost at the river and didn't have to ask my Dad for the millionth time "Are we there yet Dad?"
Around 2001 someone started the Bra-Lingerie tree just after the railroad tracks on HWY 62/177 at mile marker 110. I used to get kick out of watching girls slinging their bras and panties on this tree as I drove past on Sunday afternoon on my weekly drive back to Orange County.
Now both trees are gone and it saddens me everytime I drive past the spots of where they used to be. These trees provided entertainment to all of us on our long drive to and from the river.
So let's bring them back!!! (1) SHOE TREE and (1) BRA-LINGERIE TREE!!!
Here are some photos I took of both trees.
Memorial photos:
THE SHOE TREE !!!
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r106/havasusecret/shoetree2.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r106/havasusecret/shoetree1.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r106/havasusecret/shoetree3.jpg
THE BRA - LINGERIE TREE !!!
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r106/havasusecret/bratree4.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r106/havasusecret/bratree3.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r106/havasusecret/bratree2.jpg
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r106/havasusecret/bratree1.jpg

[Nord]

Wouldn't they just take it down since it would be concidered a structure if you made it out of pipe?? I don't know how that would work. Who governs that?:confused: :idea:

[Quest4Fun]

Wouldn't they just take it down since it would be concidered a structure if you made it out of pipe?? I don't know how that would work. Who governs that?:confused: :idea:
Doesn't somebody own that property there? I remember some years back when the town of Rice was for sale.

[Nord]

Doesn't somebody own that property there? I remember some years back when the town of Rice was for sale.
I would assume so, they are the ones that probably burned down down eye-sore.

[Quest4Fun]

I would assume so, they are the ones that probably burned down down eye-sore.
Probably put in an insurance claim on lost clothing :D

[CarBizIndio]

http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33575&stc=1&d=1182467961
I have a great idea, why dontcha hang your self on it?

[Havasu Daytona]

Bump to the top

[Cigalert]

make the tree shaped like a hand flippin the bird and call it art...it can't be considered a structure if it's art...done deal

[Riverguy92345]

OK..i have no problem making the tree. 10 feet of 2 inch pipe, 40 3/4 couplings, post hole digger and some concrete..But everyone should agree so it doesn't get wrecked again.
Going to Parker for Labor Day. Maybe we can meet at the old tree and plant the steel one?

[Wozencraft]

I am all for creating or planting a new shoe tree. While we are at it, we should also create a new bra-lingerie tree to replace that one as well.
I remember it took two fires to destroy our beloved tree. The first fire mostly just cinged the tree as the shoes on the ground seemed to be destroyed by that fire. After the first fire, I like many others, took a full 5 gallon bottle of water mixed with Miracle Grow to help the fire-cinged shoe tree survive and hopefully recover. I did this every week on my way to Havasu.
Near the end of Summer in 2002, the second devastating fire took the life of our tree. I vividly remember stopping in horror and looking at the chard remains of the Shoe Tree. I couldn't help but think "what kind of idiot would do such a thing".
The original shoe tree was started as a memorial to cystic fibrosis. Look in the first photo. Many people stopped and took photos of the tree. Out of state snow birds, would stop their motohomes, take pictures and compliment me on watering an almost famous fire damaged tree in the middle of the desert.
I watched this tree grow long before it was the "Shoe Tree". I watched it grow since 1968, as my family and I passed it on our way to Lake Havasu and finally onto Black Meadow Landing. I remember as we passed that tree and a little while later, the railroad tracks, I thought hey, we are almost at the river and didn't have to ask my Dad for the millionth time "Are we there yet Dad?"
Around 2001 someone started the Bra-Lingerie tree just after the railroad tracks on HWY 62/177 at mile marker 110. I used to get kick out of watching girls slinging their bras and panties on this tree as I drove past on Sunday afternoon on my weekly drive back to Orange County.
Now both trees are gone and it saddens me everytime I drive past the spots of where they used to be. These trees provided entertainment to all of us on our long drive to and from the river.
Those are great photos! Thanks for sharing. It seems unanimous that all want to bring the tree back. I'm glad everyone likes the metal tree idea. The first thing we need to do is find out who owns the land. I can do this if I can find an address. Or any address in Rice. Someone mentioned a rumor that the land owner burned the tree. I don't think so since I saw it happen a few minutes after being lit while driving to Havasu. Plus, it happened around midnight and I doubt a property owner is going to torch the shoe tree at this time and in that fashion.
Devin
______________________
www.wozencraftinsurance.com

[Markos]

Lets start with 3 or 4" embed 3 ft in the ground:idea: and weld 2" -1 1/2 "- 1"and 3/4"Couplings Progressivly smaller as they get higher. We could get reducers and step down to 1/2" branches towards the tips. Make sure we all get pipe threaded on each end about 1 foot to 3 ft . Spin Tees, 90s, 45s ,This thing could grow like crazy!

[CarBizIndio]

I have a good mig but the only problem is it's 220v

[Ziggy]

Sad driving by with just a pile of dirt there. Don't know if it can still be seen but someone painted on the highway "Long Live the Shoe Tree".
.
I beleive it was a Memorial Weekend when it got torched the first time.
.
After 9/11 a Flag was added at the top with other patriotic memorials.

[prkr247]

This is such a great idea. I think we could all jazz it up.

[Nord]

This is such a great idea. I think we could all jazz it up.
:D :D LOL

[Markos]

Labor Day weekend sounds good to set the "trunk". I'll bring the concrete.:)

[phebus]

Make sure you have good "footing" for a shoe tree. :D

[Wozencraft]

Labor Day weekend sounds good to set the "trunk". I'll bring the concrete.:)
Are you serious about this??? If so, count me in to help cover the costs. This CAN happen if we all pitch in.
In fact if you are serious, why don't you (us) figure out the costs first and divide it amongst those interested here on the boards. Most likely many will kick in some money. We do still need to figure out who owns the land. Or do we just do it since it's out in the middle of the desert. Hey, I'll bet if we did build this metal tree that it would make the news or get some sort of media attention! That would be cool.
Devin
________________________________
www.wozencraftinsurance.com

[Havasu1986]

I work for a fire sprinkler company and we have alot of scrap pipe laying around. :)

[Markos]

My dad has lots of tools. He's a TV repairman!

[Havasu Daytona]

Bump to the top!!!

[CarBizIndio]

If some one has a portable 220 gen. we can start welding.

[Havasu Daytona]

Bump to the top

[Wozencraft]

If some one has a portable 220 gen. we can start welding.
One of my friends owns a water truck company and owns a large service truck which has a large generator, welder and most any large power tool to handle this job. I could ask him if he would drive the service truck to Rice! :) He owns a 28 Warlock Cat which he keeps at Havasu Springs so I could ask him to drive the service truck on one of his trips out.
Devin
______________________________________
www.wozencraftinsurance.com

[Riverbass]

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e316/srferjo/River/RIVER806.jpg

[Classic Daycruiser]

Would somebody put a tree out there for us to water:idea: :idea: :idea:
If it ends up being a forest because everybody brought a tree and 5 gallons of water, so be it. I think the pipe tree is a great idea, but I'm sure it will need a permit, so unless you want to figure out how to make the building and planning department happy, it would be best to advise everyone to bring water and a tree next time you go to the river.
Now if someone came out and dug, lets say 10 post holes, it would make it a lot easier for someone to plant, and insure a good start for the tree.
Just think, a forest full of shoe trees.

[RiverRatMike]

Okay, it was there, and got a little abused, but since it buned dowm, I have missed that damn tree in the middle of the desert.
So I propose this. I will plant a new mesquite tree, if I can get some people to water it on thier way to and from the River. We all have empty milk jugs, pool acid jugs, what ever, but 1 gallon of water every now and then until it gets established is necassary. So what do you say people, are you in?????????????????:idea:
I gave that tree some water by peeing on it a few years ago. And I kept my shoes!

[Markos]

One of my friends owns a water truck company and owns a large service truck which has a large generator, welder and most any large power tool to handle this job. I could ask him if he would drive the service truck to Rice! :) He owns a 28 Warlock Cat which he keeps at Havasu Springs so I could ask him to drive the service truck on one of his trips out.
Devin
______________________________________
www.wozencraftinsurance.com
I have a place in the Springs Too. Who owns the land where Shoe tree was? Could we get a permit for a memorial like those Patton ones by Iron Mt.?:idea:

[laveycrafter]

Bump to get near the sticker idea......

[Mrs.Racer277]

there's a shoe tree leaving amboy heading to the 40. Nothing like the one on the 62
We have seen that one. :)

[sleekcraft80]

I have a place in the Springs Too. Who owns the land where Shoe tree was? Could we get a permit for a memorial like those Patton ones by Iron Mt.?:idea:
I stopped at the spot where the tree used to be and took this picture of the land marker. It is right next to a wooden post that used to be a cross for a teenage girl who was killed by a drunk driver. Her tennis shoes were laid in front of that cross. In years past the cross was destroyed by some jerk probably and now our beloved tree has been destroyed. The marker I believe is the property of the BLM and the land also

[Classic Daycruiser]

So who's going to dig the hole. :idea: :idea: :idea:
one tree for each person killed on rice road

[LAVEYSABRE575]

You Must Be Talking About G. Cotter Regarding The Water Truck?

[ColeTR2]

I like the idea of using pluming pipe. Because over time it could easily grow along with the shoes.

[socalcrickett]

i am still new to HB, but if there is any thing i can do to help. please let me know.
damn i miss that tree:(

[Wozencraft]

You Must Be Talking About G. Cotter Regarding The Water Truck?
Yes, you are correct. He is a friend and client of mine. I just dropped a prop off at his place in the Springs yesterday. I know he would be willing to offer his service truck which has gobs of tools, generators, welders, etc.
I have been trying to find out who owns that land. From the post above, most likely it is owned by the BLM. Maybe I can give them a call and inquire. I wonder how many phone numbers and people I'll have to go through before I get an answer. :)
Devin