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All the United States Florida Tallahassee Library Oak Tree Fort Sculpture

Library Oak Tree Fort Sculpture

This creative sculpture was a way to "recycle" an old tree.

Tallahassee, Florida

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Rachel M
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  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
  Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
  Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
  Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
  Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
  Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In recognition of its commitment to community forestry, Tallahassee, Florida, has been named a ‘Tree City USA’ community by the Arbor Day Foundation for the past 24 years. It was no surprise, then, that when a 160 year-old live oak tree located in the parking area of the county’s main public library in downtown Tallahassee was deemed unhealthy and unsafe, officials came up with a solution that honored both the tree and the library. 

Local chainsaw artist John Birch came up with a design that would keep the tree’s original structure while recognizing its location.  When the branches and canopy of the majestic 60-foot tree were removed, a tall section of the main trunk was left in place.  After scaffolding was erected, Birch began work on the public art piece.  Working four days a week for about four months, he "recycled" the tree. 

Wood from the tree branches was used to carve parts of the design.  There is a boy lounging among tree branches, reading a book.  A father peeks out of a hole in the tree.  A young girl—based after the artist’s niece and standing more than 5 feet tall—wears a hard had while standing amid the beginnings of tree fort.  A shelf of books is carved into one side of the tree; the artist cut his initials and the date into the spine of one. 

Where there might have been an empty spot had people not come together for a creative solution, there now stands a huge sculpture made from the wood of the once-majestic tree.    

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Trees Sculptures Libraries Plants

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Mom0ja

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Collector of Experiences

  • Collector of Experiences

Published

July 16, 2016

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  • http://www.wtxl.com/news/year-old-tallahassee-tree-gets-tribute-at-library/article_d55b7752-4316-11e6-ae12-4f9e09b41db5.html
  • http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2016/01/13/downtown-antebellum-live-oak-coming-down/78734124/
  • http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2016/07/03/new-kind-library-branch-artist-transforms-rotted-oak/86658854/
Library Oak Tree Fort Sculpture
200 W Park Ave
Tallahassee, Florida
United States
30.442628, -84.283742
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