Tree in the Middle of the Road

After being diverted from the highway because of a major accident, we ventured out on some (very) bumpy dirt roads in search of this roadside attraction and our predetermined detour. (If you do try to seek out this spot, proceed with caution—roads are poorly/un-maintained.)

When we finally found it we were mildly disappointed—don’t get me wrong, it’s a cool photo opp, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to add this one to your road trip list.

why is this a thing

As an Iowan, I would suggest that you not make this stop if there as been a recent rain. The dirt roads would have ruts and the possibility of getting stuck would be higher. Gravel roads are fine rain or no rain. Dirt roads not so much. City slickers don't need to beware, they need to be smart.

Most exciting thing in Iowa by far.

THIS WAS THE BEST PART OF MY ROADTRIP FROM DETROIT TO DENVER!!!!! I was a little hesitant to take the dirt road at first but then I just yolo'd it and went ahead. Coming from the East side, the road is the most beautiful and smooth dirt road i have ever been on. After passing the tree and continuing towards the West, the road turns from dirt and gravel to mud. I gets bumpy and slow but I never felt worried at all. I did this detour in a '97 Camry with 166k miles on it and it was stacked with all my moving stuff. Great tree too, worth the journey

That’s off my bucket list 😣 We stopped somewhere in Iowa to see the “Tree in the middle of the road”. Beacuase I took the “long way” My husband decided it would be faster to take a shortcut —- minimum maintenance road! Twenty feet down this narrow slippery road I am grasping my seat belt trying to stay calm as to not trigger an argument while asking him to stop the car and turn around. He states he can’t! I calmly ask him to please stop and do a three point turn and get us off this road.

He says “I got this”. I know I have to just sit here in silence and hope for the best. “I got this” soon turned into sheer panic. Jared is white knuckled. Running through my head is do we have our last affairs in order. Matilda was in the back seat watching the iPad with headphones on clueless that we are slipping, sliding, getting stuck, unstuck and stuck again. We make it down the hill to a bridge where we see that we are SCREWED!

This is when Our daughter realizes the car has stopped moving. This bridge is terrifying. Holes, rotted boards, no barrier between Troublesome River (yes that was its name) and our car. We tell our daughter to stay in the car while we make a plan. My husband walks the length of road ahead and comes back with the news that we are essentially the bear that went over the mountain. Can’t go over it, can’t go under it, and we most likely are not going to make it through it.

But we can’t go back uphill when we struggled to get down it, is not even an option. What lies ahead is more treacherous - thick muddy clay with a steep embankment surrounded by nothing but corn field. We decide we have no option but to try to go forward.

We made it maybe 40 yards where we sat for two hours waiting for the two truck. Well, it wasn’t a tow truck, but a skid steer that had to be sent out. Apparently they do this several times a week and have the vehicle retrieval process perfected. Jon, our new friend in the vehicle retrieval service let us know that as he was pulling we would be sliding a lot. Boy was he right! He essentially dragged us back to safety and civilization sideways where we said our goodbyes and parted ways.

Two hours, memories made, and $395 dollars later this tops the Grand Canyon story. I will forever flinch to the words “I got this”. 🤬

Wow can't wait to experience this tree in the road

We went to see the tree in late July. It wasn't a treacherous trek at all. We approached from the east traveling along 350th, and left to the north. It was really a neat, quirky little spot to visit. A friendly neighbor of the tree even came down on his four-wheeler to offer to take my wife's and my picture together with the tree.

I agree with the previous post, it is a un-maintained road as I was to find out quickly. I luckily was able to turn around without incident but I considered myself lucky. 4x4 and some adventure maybe but be aware!

DO NOT I repeat DO NOT try to find this tree!! The 'roads' are dirt, gravel and mud. I got stuck once for a minute before the tree and was stupid enough not to turn around. Now half a mile away from the paved roads I'm too stuck to free myself and in the last almost two hours AAA has yet to find a tow company to pull me out; they refuse to come down even the .5 mile because they don't want to get stuck themselves. AVOID!!!

EDIT: Four and a half hours to get out of the road only .2 miles from the pavement. The tow truck driver who pulled me out called it 'hairy' when talking to me and swore like a sailor when he was working and didn't know I was listening. Again I strongly advise against stopping here.