Shoe trees

Shoe and boot trees deserve a special mention as the crucial role they play in prolonging the useful life of a pair of footwear is often unappreciated.

The purpose of trees is to enable the shoe or boot to regain and maintain its original shape as it dries. It is therefore essential in order for this purpose to be served that the trees must be made to expressly fit the footwear for which they are to be used. Any ill fitting ones (especially those with springs) will eventually distort and ruin the shape of the shoe.

Trees can be of a two or three parts construction and are polished to prevent the inside of the uppers and sole sticking to it as the footwear dries. To facilitate removal either a stud, a ring or a handle is normally attached to the tree. While generally made from obeche or mahogany, other woods can also be used to striking effect, e.g. walnut burr. As a further refinement they can also be fitted with a silver plaque bearing the owner's name.

Normal shoe trees are sturdy affairs. When travelling, a better choice might be the extra hollowed version. By hollowing out more of the non-essential parts considerable weight savings can be had at the expense of a slight loss of sturdiness.