A bald cypress tree that lived and died in the marsh at Weldon Springs has been reborn as a 20-foot chainsaw carving by sculptor Paul Hoffman of Mt. Pulaski. Using two chain saws, a fordom, and a grinder, Hoffman has revealed life-sized images of Weldon Springs’ wildlife in the golden wood.

The project began as a quick sketch on the back of a paper plate, but Hoffman’s vision rapidly took shape. First to appear was an owl perched atop the work. Next, a pair of raccoons scampered down the trunk. As another layer of scaffolding was removed, a squirrel holding a nut found a niche. Soon a woodpecker was revealed, a third raccoon peeked around the trunk, and a pair of beaver found a home at the base of the work. Careful observers will also find a turtle and a frog on exposed roots.

Hoffman grew up in Clinton and spent time at Weldon Springs as a child. He began carving at age 12, when he won a contest for soap-carving. He has carved wood sculptures for over 20 years, but only recently discovered his talent with a chainsaw.