See the Large Iowa Tree That is Mother Nature’s Roundabout!

Roundabouts. You either love them or hate them. Just a few years ago, they were hard to find in Eastern Iowa. Now, they're everywhere. Personally, I love them. And if you know how to read road signs and follow directions, you'll get through unscathed. That is why an unusual tree in southwest Iowa continues to get so much attention. It is Mother Nature's first roundabout!

Where is Iowa's Tree in the Middle of the Road?

According to Let's Go Iowa, the tree in question is a 100-foot-tall Cottonwood tree growing right in the middle of two intersecting roads in rural Iowa. The tree is located near the town of Brayton, Iowa, at the intersection of 350th and 710th Streets. And once you see it, you'll know right away why it is also nicknamed the 'Iowa Roundabout'.

How Did the Tree Get in the Middle of the Road?

So did the tree grow in the middle of the intersection? Or was the tree there first, and the roadways were built around it? According to Travel Iowa, legend has it that when the county lines were being drawn between Audubon and Cass Counties, a surveyor placed a green Cottonwood stick in the ground at the exact point where the lines crossed. It then grew into the tree that stands there today.

The large tree sits unprotected from both traffic and artists. You can clearly see graffiti drawn on for what purpose, I'm not sure.

Just remember, even if you're using Mother Nature's roundabout...YIELD TO TRAFFIC FROM THE LEFT!