I bumped into a friend recently who brought up the carved tree stumps along Blackstone Boulevard and how much he liked them. When I told him that I was making inquiries and might soon have some answers, he paused a moment: “I don’t know, I kind of like the mystery of not knowing.” And I sort of knew what he meant. So, Tom, and all others of a similar disposition, read no further, because this intrepid reporter has the whole story.
I contacted the Parks Department and sent along some questions via email, with a link to my prior story. A swift response came from the Mayor’s press secretary, Patricia Socarras. The following interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
Is this the work of one person? Or does the whole crew get involved?
One person primarily, Keith Yeaw (Tree Trimmer). Keith works on a small crew with David Masso (Tree Trimmer).
Can these stumps be found elsewhere in the city?
Mostly just Blackstone Boulevard as he just started doing them, but he did do one in Dexter Training Ground.
How long does it take to carve each mushroom?
About 5 minutes.
Who came up with the idea? Was it spontaneous?
Keith did, totally spontaneously.
Do any of the crew dabble in chainsaw art?
Keith does, on his own time.
Will the carved stumps remain in place until nature takes its course? Or is the plan to ultimately remove the stumps?
Like actual mushrooms, these stump mushrooms are ephemeral. Eventually, the crew will grind the stumps and new trees will be planted.
Most of the stumps are of the whimsical toadstool variety, but then there is the more thought-provoking item in the picture below, which I love. This looks a lot like . . . art? What was the “artist” going for here? What is the piece called? (As you can see, passers-by have started leaving tributes, adding cones under the mushroom cap.)
Art is in the eye of the beholder! He tries to vary it up when he can and the stump or trunk is shaped correctly.
Feel free to add your thoughts or answer a question I didn’t think to ask.
We have received great feedback from the public about these mushrooms. They add an element of fun and whimsy to lessen the blow caused by a tree removal. They help change perception.
Big thanks to the tree trimmers, Keith and David, and to the Mayor’s office for their swift response. Now . . . over to the Dexter Training Ground.
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The pair featured with this post are actually very tiny which just makes them even more adorable.
Below is the more artistic of the carvings. I think it represents man’s search for meaning in an apparently hostile universe . . . maybe not.
Offerings left in tribute to the chainsaw gods.
These are all near the entrance to Swan Point Cemetery.
I think these are absolutely beautiful….they work on so many levels….I love that they take only “about 5 minutes to do”, there is a flash of appearance and a total lack of pretension about them.
I 100% agree with the person who said that ultimately they should be put somewhere to preserve them.
I really love them and would happily integrate them into my garden here in England….will you guys cover the postage?!
I do so hope this crew carry on developing this wooden form of graffiti. SUPERB.
These are great. If the city is eventually going to grind the stumps, maybe they can cut the mushrooms off before hand and save them to install somewhere.
Probably the best (and most whimsical) thing I’ve read all day. And we all need more whimsy!