The Willow Oak

A six-panel chip carving, September 2025

This polyptych consists of six separate carved panels in a custom-built frame. Overall size is approximately 18 by 15 inches.

The inspiration and model for the tree is a willow oak at West Point on the Eno Park in Durham, N.C. I originally sketched it during the annual Festival for the Eno, when it shades musicians performing on the Grove Stage. The six panels show both the shape of the tree and, in detail, imagined scenes from its life.

The panels are chip-carved in basswood. As the willow oak is a species of red oak, I built the frame of red oak as well, using traditional pegged mortise and tenon joinery. The frame is left unglued for conservation purposes.

detail view, upper left: leaves of tree turning to flying birds
detail view, lower left: grackle on branch
detail view, lower right: two birds with nest of chicks
detail view, upper right: tree leaves