Tree salvage effort turns into masterwork

For years a ponderosa pine tree has poked up through the roof of the stables at Eagle Bear Ranch on Crooked Horseshoe Road near Sisters.

Dan and TK Schnell built the stables to accommodate the tree and tried to keep it thriving.

"We tried so hard to preserve that tree, and we decided it had finally had it's last day and we needed to take it down before it was too late," TK said.

Then, the Schnells had an idea: Why not turn the tree into a giant carving?

They turned to master woodworker Paul Stark and his son John, who latched on to the notion with enthusiasm. They came up with the idea of creating a totem pole featuring the logo of Eagle Bear Ranch and the chips started to fly.

Working from the stable roof and a manlift, the Starks carved out a masterful piece that in a sense preserves the dying tree, while adding a unique piece of art work to the horse boarding facility.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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