A huge courageous sycamore tree grows right out of the base of Montezuma Well 
and around the aqueduct and river. The shade from it’s graceful far-reaching branches alongside the peaceful sound of flowing water and the ancient native-ness of the well, all work together to create a truly healing environment. Resting quietly under that sycamore, you can almost consciously feel the activity of the immune system, leveling vital signs and restoring peace and renewal to every aspect of the body, mind and spirit. The tree has a complexion of gentle camouflage colors of mixed greens, tan, gray, cream, and white with the bark being rendered with a dappling appearance as it sheds the various layers of itself over time.
Sycamores have existed on this planet for a hundred million years all over what is now known as the continental United States. They grow mainly in wetland areas. A single tree can live as long as five to six hundred years and the tallest recorded sycamore tree was a hundred and seventy feet tall and thirteen feet in diameter. Another one was found on Ohio that measured forty-nine feet in diameter! More commonly they reach heights of around a hundred feet and average about thirteen inches in trunk diameter when they are grown in deep soil. The trunk often splits near the ground and produces several secondary trunks that may become hollow on the inside after several seasons. Flowers of both sexes appear with the new springtime leaves each year and they dangle with the accompanying fruits from long stems.
Medicine
Sycamore is sometimes used to make poultice and salves The inner bark is a combination remedy with astringent, diuretic, emetic and laxative effects. It has been used as a tea in the treatment of dysentery, coughs, colds, lung ailments, hemorrhages, measles, milky and difficult urination etc and also as a blood tonic. Externally, it has been used as a wash on wounds. An infusion of the bark and roots has been used as a foot soak for treating rheumatism. The bark ooze has been used as a wash on infected sores and an infusion has been given in the treatment of infant rash. Another infusion of the bark, mixed with honey locust bark has been used as a gargle to treat hoarseness and sore throat. Once again, we find that we are surrounded by a natural pantry of native medicines along the shores of Beaver Creek.
A Legacy of Beaver Creek
Gazing at the huge sycamore at the well can bring questions to the mind. How many little kids have attempted to climb high into the shady trunks and branches? How long has this famous tree been here? Did anyone ever fall into the river while attempting to explore the heights of our local sycamore tree? How may lovers have embraced and kissed in the shade of her shelter? How many native elders and storytellers have prayerfully shared the miracles of this sacred place which has undoubtedly woven itself among ancient Tribal stories of Creation?
Each of us may share the responsibility of our own extended family history and legacy. How do we plan to enter the days of our future, with stories and gatherings that radiate the love, strength and honor of our own ancestors? We do not need to be Native American people in order to do this because every family has stories. Do we listen to the songs of the river and the wind? Do we share our unique living space in a hopeful and generous way? Do we provide a special healing place for our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren to continue the stories of our own people?
Every family and culture has heroes and villains and just ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things. Sitting in the restful shade of the old sycamore at Montezuma Well provides us with that special moment of restful introspection and healing that fills us with the hope and the knowledge that each of has his or her very own unique legacy. We are told that the responsibility and well-being of the next seven generations, is ours. How exciting it is to know that this legacy comes to us in a place so rich with medicine and spirituality as ours along the pristine shores of Beaver Creek.
