My father had cedar shoe trees.

When I joined the Army 30-odd years ago, I bought these cheap plastic shoe trees (you can't shine your boots without them, not really), and had them for a very long time. One by one, they broke over the years, and when I bought some really nice dress shoes last year, I was determined to find some great wooden shoe trees for them.

These do NOT disappoint. Even my father was impressed. They're elegant and robust. Easy in, easy out. I'm ordering more for my other shoes.