It's been said that Sawdust is Man-Glitter

To the ancient Greeks and Romans, trees were thought to be inhabited by female spirits called Dryad (in oak trees) or Meliae (in ash trees). In Greek drys signifies 'Oak' from an Indo-European root *derew(o)- 'tree' or 'wood'. In Scottish folklore a friendly tree spirit, called the Ghillie Dhu, helps lost children find their way home. Japan is home to a rich tradition encompassing various tree spirits, generally called Kodama. Traditionally, foresters made offerings to the Kodama before cutting a tree down. text source

Beauty is in the 'eye' of the "tree-holder"

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The legends and lore that surround the carving of 'wood spirits' date back to the beginning of man. Nearly all cultures have their own interpretations and symbolism of the great 'wood spirit'. Only limited by imagination and skill of the creator, this type of wood carving has been around for centuries.

There is something about carving wood that gives me a sense of connection. I feel deeply connected to nature and to the Earth. For me, it's one of the few ways to relax my mind. I find great joy in the hunt as well.

❤️🌲LOVE THE TREES 🌲❤️

As a member of the Arbor Day Foundation, I plant a lot of trees. I have a variety of trees on my property (various maples, apple, pine, birch, dogwood, oak, and more). It's constant upkeep, but I suppose all that fresh oxygen makes it well worth it.

Trees naturally prune themselves, known as self-pruning. That means plenty of branches to pick up, all year, but I won't complain! When branches fall, I'm ready to collect. Some of these branches end up in a fire and some will become art or furniture. I even 'chunk' larger branches and make my own lump hardwood charcoal for cooking! The tiny pieces get crushed and spread for compost. I try to use everything the trees will give me.

Release the Wood Spirit!

You might be surprised what some people see - it's not just a tree branch! Others see an opportunity to create. Wood spirits, regardless of which legend or lore you subscribe to, offer a sort of 'connection' with its creator. There are innumerable tutorials on how to carve a wood spirit, but if you're like me then you don't mind freestyling. I did not plan my designs, I decided to just wing it!

DO NOT WORRY • PHOTOS & RESOURCES BELOW!

After a good storm, I scavenge some branches from the yard - these are mostly maple, but there's a few pine pieces in the mix. With a sharp knife, a few bandaids, and a little imagination - I think I brought these branches back to life! I typically allow my branches to sit in a dry spot for a few months before carving, but don't worry if you can't wait - get carving!

The most important thing to remember is safety. Use proper protective gear for hands and eyes! I didn't use gloves and I cut myself a few times (I'm a dumbass though, so don't do what I do!

You will need:

a sharp knife and/or carving tools, wood, and imagination.

Depending up the wood you choose, the tools that you choose will vary. I have a friend that prefers to carve with a chainsaw, so this also depends upon the scale at which you wish to work. You can carve branches, logs, stumps, or even entire trees!

I worked with a guy, in the graphics/sign business, who is now a part of the Bear Hollow Wood Carvers group - Highly skilled people! They produce some AMAZING woodworks. After seeing this chainsaw art in person, it made me feel like I needed to carve something, anything!

So Here's My Work in Progress

What I really enjoy is that I can pick it up and put it down as I wish. It's something I do every so often and I find it very relaxing.

Would you like to help me name these guys??

This walking stick serves as a 'sketch pad' to try techniques and learn from mistakes. It also makes a great walking stick.

You can see the layers of wood can also help achieve desired textures and depth. I really learned a lot just from experimenting. I left some of the bark layer to give the color and texture I wanted for the beard. NO Fancy tools, just a cheap pocket knife is all I used. One of the cheaper hobbies of mine..😆

HELPFUL LINKS FOR CARVING YOUR OWN WOOD SPIRITS:

There are so many great tutorials on the web. Give carving a try! Read about TREE LORE & SYMBOLISM HERE
See some WOODSPIRIT CARVINGS BY STEPHEN GIBBS
Learn from THIS GREAT TUTORIAL VIA WOOD CARVER'S CABIN ONLINE

Have your mind blown = WATCH THESE GUYS CARVE WITH CHAINSAWS!!

Carving Tree Branches Back to Life! Wood Spirits • History, My Carvings, and Amazing Works of Others