Early surveys were more limited in the choice of marks they were able to use. Until July 1886, surveyors were only able to use trees as reference marks to boundary corners. After July 1886 surveyors were able to use “permanent marks” which were either a glass bottle, gas pipe or iron bolt (for homestead surveys only) and the use of special marks of this nature as reference marks was not introduced until 1895.
Today, reference trees are becoming rarer to discover, particularly in areas subject to cultivation. In more mountainous terrain, the likelihood of finding a reference tree still standing is slightly higher. Unfortunately, where the chance of human interference is less, the quality of tree is generally lower, so finding reference trees in mountainous terrain is not a sure thing.
While looking for ideal places to stanch caches, we discovered this Stock Route Marker. It’s not really cool, but it is readable.