Last summer, we discovered this unique wood on our property. It is from a willow tree that grows in a thicket. Here is the healthiest and oldest thicket of willows on our property. I like to call it the Whomping Willow. The largest diameter of tree is probably only 6-7”.
Here is another thicket, half alive. The bark is mossy and cracking.
We were cleaning up deadfall one day and pulled on one of the mossy branches. We could see the orangey red wood under the bark. Each branch is uniquely twisted and all of them have a lovely reddish hue. We went on a search to find the thickest branches of those that appeared to be dying. It was these such branches that my husband used for these two copper tree projects.
He made this one last July. This art piece now sits in our ensuite bathroom window. I love how it looks against the textured glass.
I went out for a few hours the other day and, in that short amount of time, my husband had finished another copper tree. He had prepped the wood last fall so it was just the task of twisting the wire and mounting it to the branch. He said he was inspired from a tree he saw in the movie “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon 2”.
He uses a propane torch on the wire leaving most of it a copper colour but some silver and some red comes out as well from the heat.
I asked him if he would be willing to make another tree using this amethyst and quartz rock that we have had for years as the base. We found the rock at an amethyst mine near Thunder Bay, on a family vacation when our children were young. His response to my request was, “if I am inspired, one day I will make it.” I think it will look neat as it has a thin copper coloured vein running through it.
I enjoy showing off things my husband makes.
He comes up with the neatest ideas when inspiration hits.
Good work Chris.