The new tennis and pickleball courts aren’t the only recent addition to Fulle Field in Harpswell Center. The remnants of a tree cut down to three 12-foot branches have been transformed into an intricate and whimsical wooden sculpture, thanks to an anonymous donation and to chainsaw carver Josh Landry.
The Harpswell Neck Physical Education Association recently received an anonymous $10,000 gift to commission a work by Landry next to its new courts. The donor had hired Landry for an installation at their home and saw another opportunity in the old tree at Fulle Field.
HNPEA board member Pete Arnold said the board sought suggestions for the carving from local residents, who wanted it to reflect Harpswell’s working waterfront and coastal environment. Landry then incorporated those ideas into the final product.
Landry said his biggest inspiration was a drawing by a camper from HNPEA’s summer camp, featuring a lobster with a pickleball paddle and a tuna with a tennis racket.
After about 10 days of work, Landry finished the sculpture on July 18, just in time for the grand opening of the new tennis and pickleball courts the next day. The tree was a hemlock, a softwood, so the carving went faster than it would for a hardwood tree.
More than 10 feet tall, the sculpture features a bright-red lobster holding a pickleball paddle and ball, a tuna with a tennis racket, and a heron about to serve. A close look reveals many intricate details.
Landry travels all over the country to create his sculptures, often staying in a camper with his wife and son. He even did a commission at the home of bestselling Maine author Stephen King.
He became interested in chainsaw carving when, at 15, he observed a local carver, according to his website. Already an enthusiastic art student, he decided to pursue the craft.
When Landry starts a tree sculpture, he first strips off the bark and inspects the tree for imperfections or rot. He then sketches a design and carves as much as possible with the chainsaw.
He adds details with Dremel tools and sanders. Finally, he will sand, airbrush on a wood stain — or, in this case, add brighter colors — then apply a finish.
“A lot of times I do trees that are in the ground because they had a lot of meaning to people and they had to come down,” Landry said. “But they still have a lot of memories of the tree and their family … so it’s cool to bring life back to them.”
Landry, who is based in North Anson, said he loved working in Harpswell because of the kindness of the people, the natural beauty and the proximity to the coast.
Arnold, the HNPEA board member, was thrilled with Landry’s work.
“I did get to see his work that was done at (the donor’s) house, so I wasn’t shocked by what I was seeing, but I never would have thought that it’d come out as beautiful as it’s coming out,” Arnold said.
