Fallen Oak Tree Transformed Into Community Attraction Via Giant Pencil Sculpture
TL;DR
- A collapsed bur oak tree was repurposed into a 20-foot-tall "Lodi Pencil" sculpture, transforming a natural disaster into a community focal point and tourist attraction.
- The Lodi Pencil sculpture's annual sharpening ceremony has evolved into a large-scale community event, drawing thousands and fostering a sense of shared celebration and fun.
- Repurposing the fallen tree into a recognizable object like a pencil creates an accessible and engaging piece of art that resonates with a broad audience across age groups.
- The creation of the Lodi Pencil involved a collaborative process between homeowners, art students, and a chainsaw sculptor, highlighting the potential for unexpected partnerships in public art.
- The Lodi Pencil's success demonstrates how a unique, locally-rooted art installation can become a destination, encouraging travel and bringing people together from diverse geographic locations.
Deep Dive
A colossal pencil sculpture, crafted from a fallen 180-year-old bur oak tree, has transformed a private Minneapolis yard into a vibrant community gathering space. This unexpected artistic reuse not only memorializes a natural event but has cultivated a unique annual tradition that draws thousands, fostering a sense of shared celebration and community spirit akin to cheering for a sports team.
The genesis of the Lodi Pencil began when a powerful storm toppled a large bur oak in front of the Higgins' home. While the tree was largely destroyed, a 20-foot trunk remained. Initially, the homeowners had no plan for the remnant, but public interest from passersby who admired the trunk prompted them to consider an artistic transformation. Their vision coalesced around creating something familiar and universally recognizable, leading to the concept of a giant pencil, inspired by the classic Empire brand No. 2 pencil. This idea was brought to life by chainsaw sculptor Curtis Ingolstadt, who meticulously carved the trunk over five weeks, preserving its integrity while shaping it into the iconic form. The visual challenge lay in replicating the subtle transitions of a real pencil--from its rounded eraser end to its hexagonal body and pointed tip--onto the massive scale of the trunk.
The second-order implication of this artistic endeavor is the creation of the annual "sharpening ceremony." What began as a small gathering for friends and family has evolved into a large-scale festival, complete with music, food, and activities, attracting attendees from across the country. The ceremony itself is a playful, ongoing engagement with the sculpture, mirroring the use of a real pencil. This annual event has become a significant driver of local tourism, creating substantial traffic and economic activity, and more importantly, it has provided a tangible reason for diverse groups of people to come together, celebrate, and experience a shared, lighthearted moment. The Lodi Pencil, therefore, functions not just as a static sculpture but as a dynamic focal point for community connection and collective enjoyment.
Action Items
- Create U.S. state tracker map: Mark visited states to identify travel gaps and recall past experiences.
- Audit travel patterns: Analyze visited states to identify under-represented regions (e.g., Great Plains) for future trip planning.
- Document sculpture creation process: Record key decisions, challenges, and solutions for the Lodi Pencil project (ref: chainsaw sculpting).
- Plan annual sharpening ceremony: Develop a scalable event plan for 2025-2026, anticipating increased attendance and traffic management needs.
- Measure community impact: Quantify attendee numbers and geographic origins for the sharpening ceremony to assess its role in bringing people together.
Key Quotes
"I've seen many sculptures in my time but I've never seen one of a pencil let alone a pencil that is this tall as three NBA basketball players stacked on top of each other and you probably haven't either unless you've encountered the Lodi Pencil in Minneapolis."
This quote introduces the central subject of the episode, the Lodi Pencil, highlighting its unusual nature and impressive scale. The author, Morgan Johnson, emphasizes its uniqueness by comparing its height to multiple stacked basketball players, immediately capturing the reader's attention.
"The pencil was made from a 180-year old bur oak tree that collapsed during a storm but it didn't fall down all the way and so some homeowners came up with an inventive use for its remains."
Morgan Johnson explains the origin of the Lodi Pencil, detailing how a natural event led to an unexpected artistic creation. The author points out the homeowners' ingenuity in repurposing the fallen tree, transforming a destructive event into a source of art and community.
"You know we didn't realize that passersby had paid much attention to it and numerous people said you cannot like just finish chopping it down and we weren't exactly sure what they wanted us to do with it but there were some pretty adamant people about that and that just got us to thinking maybe we could do something with it and let's try and figure out a sculpture."
Amy Higgins describes the public's reaction to the fallen tree, revealing how community input influenced their decision to create a sculpture. Higgins explains that the strong opinions of passersby prompted them to consider an artistic transformation rather than simply removing the tree trunk.
"You know something long straight and narrow so it could be a utensil or a knife or maybe a bat and then we hit upon the idea of the pencil and we thought well pop art's fun and everybody knows a pencil no matter what age or even kids these days have used a regular pencil so everyone can really do it and knows what it is."
Amy Higgins elaborates on the conceptualization of the pencil sculpture, explaining the reasoning behind choosing this particular form. Higgins highlights the universal recognition of a pencil as a familiar object, making it an accessible and engaging subject for public art.
"I decided to sculpt wood I think because my family has a long history in like lumber industry this is Curtis the chainsaw sculptor the Higgins were recommended and ended up working with he's spent decades working with wood and so I just like the warmth of it and the easy accessibility of how it's worked and there's something about it I guess maybe in my genetics but that could just be a story too."
Curtis Ingolstadt discusses his background and connection to woodworking, explaining his passion for sculpting with wood. Ingolstadt suggests a familial predisposition and personal appreciation for wood's qualities as driving forces behind his chosen craft.
"There's not a lot of drama in the pencil but there are a lot of things that make it connect with human beings and in a lot of that has to do with perfect proportioning the right colors like they you know try to get to the exact colors these are all recognizable things that make it feel like you could use it together."
Curtis Ingolstadt reflects on the elements that make the pencil sculpture relatable, emphasizing the importance of precise details. Ingolstadt points out that accurate proportions and colors contribute to the sculpture's connection with viewers, evoking a sense of familiarity and potential use.
"A lot of people just see it as okay you put a pencil in your yard but I think what's meant the most to us is just how it does seem to bring people together and be able to celebrate together and just have fun and kind of let go and sometimes I liken it to cheering for a sports team it's just a reason that you can all get together for the same thing that you can just cheer around have a little fun and you know not worry too much about anything for a little bit."
Amy Higgins shares her perspective on the deeper impact of the Lodi Pencil and its associated events, highlighting its role in fostering community connection. Higgins likens the experience to supporting a sports team, emphasizing how it provides a shared reason for people to gather, celebrate, and momentarily escape daily concerns.
Resources
External Resources
Books
- "The Atlas Obscura Book of Wonders" by Dylan Therris, Chloe Oswald, and Ella Morton - Mentioned as a source of inspiration for the podcast.
Websites & Online Resources
- atlasobscura.com/my-state-map - Referenced as the location to create a U.S. state tracker map.
- cosmopolitanlasvegas.com - Mentioned as the booking website for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
- mazdausa.com - Referenced as the website to build a Mazda CX-50.
People
- Amy Higgins - Homeowner whose bur oak tree was sculpted into a pencil.
- Curtis Ingolstadt - Chainsaw sculptor who transformed the tree trunk into a pencil.
- Dylan Therris - Member of the podcast production team.
- Ella Morton - Author of "The Atlas Obscura Book of Wonders."
- John Higgins - Homeowner whose bur oak tree was sculpted into a pencil.
- Johanna Mayor - Senior producer of The Atlas Obscura Podcast.
- Morgan Johnson - Host and narrator of The Atlas Obscura Podcast.
- Chloe Oswald - Author of "The Atlas Obscura Book of Wonders."
Organizations & Institutions
- Atlas Obscura - Producer of the podcast and creator of the U.S. state tracker map.
- Minneapolis College of Art and Design - School initially approached to sculpt the tree trunk.
- Sirius XM Podcasts - Co-producer of The Atlas Obscura Podcast.
Other Resources
- LL Bean Flannel - Mentioned as a classic holiday item associated with tradition and comfort.
- Mazda CX-50 Crossover SUV - Discussed for its all-wheel drive, smart cargo space, hybrid engine, and panoramic moonroof.
- The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas - Described as a luxury resort destination with unique dining and entertainment experiences.
- Zyn Nicotine Pouches - Advertised as a smoke-free and spit-free alternative for smokers and dippers.
- DIA (Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF) - Mentioned as an ETF that tracks the Dow Jones Industrial Average, offered by State Street Investment Management.