Introduction of Medicine Trees

Hey, Heather here! I have begun researching the Medicine Trees of the Utes, as far as I know, this information barley scratches the surface, so feel free to have fun learning more on your own and I will keep you updated when I find out more!!! The 1st person to ever record a medicine tree was named Lt. E.H. Ruffner. In 1873, Ruffner was doing a report on Secretary of War for United States Corps of Engineers. He found an area near camp 45 (between Lake City and Cochetopa Pass). The area was populated by yellow Pine, "This pine is at largest 12 to 18 inches diameter, forty to sixty feet high. Here and there an old tree has escaped Indian knives and grown much larger…The trail is well worn, and the peeled trees show that the valley has been much frequented by Indians, but none of them had been peeled within a year or two.” If one were to see an Ute Medicine Tree, they would assume that the scars were caused by an itchy bear or a lightning strike. However, they were created by the native inhabitants of our beautiful state. The peices of inner bark pealed off of the pine were tied into bundles and later eaten with salt. ~Heather Celinda Reynolds Kaelin, . n. page. .