Tipton hires chainsaw artist to carve trees struck by derecho

Tipton lost over 200 trees in the 2020 derecho, but slowly is replanting — and putting some of its dead trees to use.

The city commissioned Clint Henik, the owner of Carve R Way in Mount Vernon, to carve several trees with his chainsaw into tigers — the school system’s mascot — for the Tipton Tiger Project.

“Let’s make something good out of something bad,” said Linda Beck, Tipton’s development director.

With three tiger tree sculptures now completed since the project began last April, the fourth carving is set to be completed in the fall on Cedar Street in Tipton.

“It takes him a couple of days and his magic is unbelievable,” Beck said.

Beck said the project was funded by donations, taking no tax money from Tipton residents. She said the projects cost about $2,500 to $4,000 per carving.

The city paid for the sculpture across from Tipton High School with the donations, she said, while the other carvings had contributions from the Family Foods grocery store and Tipton resident Bob Rickard.

Henik is known across the state for transforming trees into characters and log furniture following the Aug. 10, 2020, derecho. He started carving full-time six years ago, he said.

“It feels great knowing I can make an impact and people want to see my work and have it displayed in their town,” he said.

He works with dead and fallen trees to create intricate carvings, and sometimes log furniture if a tree isn’t usable for a sculpture.

“Sometimes the trees just are too far gone but they still had a sentimental value to the customers,” Henik said.

While carving the Tipton Tigers for the city, he makes use of 12 different chainsaws and Dremel tools.

“For all of the Tipton Tigers it was a two to three day process per tiger,” he said. “It feels great to bring life back to such destruction that happened.”

He said he makes a rough sketch for each customer, but goes with what the tree has to offer once cutting into it.

“There’s been several times when I’ve gone up in a tree and there’s stills raccoon living in there and they jump out at me,” he said. “I also see a lot of nails and screws.”

One of the larger sculptures, which features a tiger family carved out of one dead tree, sits across from Tipton High School.

Jason Wester, Tipton Community Schools superintendent, said the sculptures centered on school spirit will positively impact future generations.

“When we have people reaching out to us to make the school more inviting, it is always a good thing,” Wester said.

The city is looking into more opportunities to commission Henik through federal grants, Beck said. She added that local businesses have also expressed interest in sponsoring a tree sculpture. Each business would get its name carved on the sculpture for donating, she said.

Henik’s tree sculptures have drawn attention from out-of-state residents, too.

“They love the trees,” Beck said. “Another thing that is happened, is cars from out of state will stop and take pictures and will tell me, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve never seen anything like this.’”

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