Q: This tree grows along US Hwy 72 in north Alabama, just a few miles from the Mississippi line. I pass it when I go to west Tennessee to visit my Mom. I’ve been watching it’s “fruit” increase over the years. I suggested to my husband that we get a cutting from it and try to grow our own shoes, but he gave me one of “those” looks and kept driving.

A: I enjoy it very much! I am attracted to plants that have “personality” whether gotten naturally or by human addition.

I just finished installing a couple of bottle trees at the end of a path, simply because they add color, size and definition that no plant could give me.

Shoe Trees in America