New beginning for felled 'Red Lady'

BY NADINE ARMSTRONG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

An aging Maple tree that once marked a journey’s end for hundreds of commuters has now become the subject of a rather peculiar artistic endeavour.

The ‘Red Lady,’ once a proud old maple, fell victim recently to the twinning of Highway 101, forever altering the rural landscape she once adorned. Now one man plans to preserve her beauty with a project he calls “Arts and Memories.”

One could say the failing old tree was just another victim of progress or, depending how you look at it, art in the making.

That was the opinion woodcarver Andrew Harvie held when he learned the tree was on the chopping block. “It was pretty much going to fall down on its own, but when you look at it, that tree has been there for hundreds of years. Just think how much has happened in the area since.”

There is no way of knowing if she was around to witness the battle of the 1740s, he said, but all the same the tree is a piece of history and part of the area’s collective memory.

Inspiration came when he read a Letter to the Editor, published in the Oct. 23 edition of The Hants Journal. Jon Oulton’s moving comments described the changes he has observed along the Highway 101 route, such as cell towers dominating the skyline, clear cutting, the removal of “Hermit of Still Water’s” mailbox, and most notably the pleasant sight of the “big old tree tucked into the bank by Harley Ross's Farm.”

Edge of that odd hill “You know the one,” Oulton said. “It’s just at the edge of that odd hill, before the big sign proclaiming the wonders of Windsor as you start up the steep hill coming along by St. Croix.”

He encouraged everyone to take in her beauty while they could. “It’s surrounded by a nice stand of green spruce and when it turns brilliant red in the fall, the scene makes for a very nice welcome home. Likely it doesn't have many autumns left in it. Regardless, this is its last year; so have a glance and enjoy it.”

Harvie knew right away the tree in question. “I had been noticing that tree for years and when Jon wrote that letter I realized it wasn't just me that felt the tree was special.”

He has since scooped several of her burls and hopes to share the ‘Red Lady’s’ memory by carving up to a dozen individual works of art. “Part of being an artist is to preserve memories,” he said. “Things dear to us come and go. But sometimes, with the help of a bit of creativity, we can hold onto a memory of how things were. When I read that letter I knew this project wasn’t just for me, it was for other people as well.”

She may be gone, he said, but certainly not forgotten.

Arts council interested

The local Hants County Arts Council has expressed interest in the project and Harvie hopes, with their help, the finished projects could be auctioned off as a community fundraiser next spring, in time for this year’s Apple Blossom Festival perhaps.

He has carved several pieces already, one of which went to Oulton as a Christmas gift, and Harvie hopes to share this find with other local artists. “I'd love more woodworkers to be involved,” Harvie said. “There are so many great artists out there that could really make something special out of this and make use of every piece possible.”

Dan Moore of Kennetcook has already taken a few burls and Harvie says the results will be fantastic. “He can make anything amazing.”

Harvie would also dearly love to have an image of the tree. “That would fit so nicely with promoting this project; to have a picture of the tree before it was cut down.”

Off-cuts will be carved into butter knives and boards are available for boxes, but Harvie would like, in the end, to auction off a few really spectacular pieces. “This isn't just about pieces of wood, but about sharing that memory.”

When Oulton heard of the project, he said it was a fitting end. “In a way, this is a new beginning for the old tree.” What they are doing, he said, is the proper thing.