Book lovers and community members gathered today at the LeRoy Collins Library to celebrate the completion of a sculpture, made from a tree that used to reside near the library.The sculpture is made out of wood from a dying live oak that is estimated to have been about 160 years old. Library System Director Cay Hohmeister says the project began in March.
“He started it in March, and it’s finished now," Hohmeister said. "And the area has been landscaped so that people can sit out here, and enjoy the tree sculpture, and enjoy being outside in our beautiful Tallahassee sky.”
Local artist John Birch carved the sculpture from the tree’s trunk.
“The love of reading, to me it’s very important. Also the fact that this is a piece of nature. I was blessed to do something with people,” Birch said. “I hope it allows people to appreciate trees more.”
The end of the ceremony included a reading of “Goodnight Moon,” one of the books carved into the tree’s bookshelf.