Using Chainsaw, Skilled Artist Transforms A Damaged Tree Into A Hand Reaching For The Sky

Almost every material imaginable can be transformed into a work of art, but it would take skill to do so. This chainsaw artist from Wrexham is one of those talented people who can turn wood—his chosen medium—into anything he wants it to be.

The damage to the tree was spotted earlier this year, and the Forestry Commission feared that it could have been a risk to visitors. The tree was leaning to one side, and there were two substantial cracks on opposite sides of the main stem extending from the buttress roots to a height of 3.5m. A few years ago, it was measured by tree surgeon who stretched a length of rope up to the top as he climbed its branches. The height was then calculated back on the ground and confirmed by the Tree Register of the British Isles. Images credit:Simon O'Rourke