Trees can become a big part of a family’s life ~ a focal point and imposing presence, always there when you look out of the window or play in the garden, and an indication of the changing seasons and passing years. Sadly, eventually trees reach the end of their lifespan ~ and if they need to taken down they can leave a large hole in more ways than one.
This cherry at Dunswell, East Yorkshire, was one such tree ~ children and grandchildren had grown up around it and the family were very sad to see its demise. Docking the tree at a decent height and carving an owl and a small seat gave it a further life and meant the tree could still be enjoyed, just in a different way.
I carved a simple owl looking over the wall, framed by cherry leaves at the top and ivy leaves around the bottom. The cherry wood was extremely hard, and the trunk curved towards me as I tottered on my ladder, making it quite an awkward piece considering the simplicity of the design. Instant sciatica!
Grandson Noah with the clay owl he had made that day.
Next was a small seat on the side facing the garden, fashioned from a stump left by the tree surgeon. I had to level out the back rest first which was the time-consuming part, after that the lettering was straightforward.
“While I blossomed I watched you blossom” ~ a nice sentiment thought up by the family.