There really is a Spirit Tree here. A massive Cottonwood tree dominates the view from the front of our Main House. It symbolizes what this special retreat is all about. Solid, deeply rooted in the earth, reaching up and out, it takes only what it needs from the environment and returns comfort and shelter to those who encounter it.        In the days before water came in plastic bottles, the sight of a cottonwood tree signaled the presence of precious water to those who lived in the southwest. It was known by many as “the water tree,” pointing to an oasis where life could be sustained and spirits refreshed.       Today water is pretty easy to find but places hospitable to refreshing one’s spirit are increasingly rare. When you experience Spirit Tree, you’ll know you’ve found one of the great ones.
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It’s Sacred, You Know
       The Hopi people, a native nation whose pueblos are in northeastern Arizona, use the roots of the Cottonwood tree as the only authentic material from which to carve Kachina’s. These figures represent spirit beings, the katsinam , who dwell in the mountains of their homelands. There are hundreds of different spirits represented, mostly benevolent, but some intended to scare children into proper behavior. Artifacts of this religious practice have been dated back to the 1300’s in Arizona.

Your Hosts
       Spirit Tree Inn partners Mary Jane Pottebaum and Thomas Bartholomeaux offer you a unique blend of skill and personality that’s wonderfully suited to fostering a time of relaxation and discovery. Mary Jane, a 2nd generation Southern Arizona native, sets the tone to find just the right mix of privacy and assistance for each guest. Tom, also a 2nd generation Southern Arizona native, brings the results of his gifts and long experience in the hospitality industry in some of Arizona’s finest kitchens to your dining room each morning.

Technically, it’s a Desert,
But Bring A Sweater
       If you’re new to exploring Arizona, you might think every part of the state is sweltering in the summer. Not true. We are above 4,000 feet in elevation and a haven for those in the know to find moderate temperatures year-round. Ranchers, before the age of air conditioning, knew where to put their homes to avoid the need for lots of supplemental cooling. We’ve just followed their example.