The tree, with a trunk measuring 192 inches in circumference with a canopy that spread 102 feet had to be cut down last summer.
A piece of local history is being transformed into art through the skilled hands of the Nutmeg Woodturners League. This historic endeavor centers around the wood of a 300-year-old white oak tree, originally standing in the Bristow Bird Sanctuary. The tree, a beloved natural landmark, sadly had to be cut down due to structural damage caused by a storm. The tree’s legacy continues as the Nutmeg Woodturners League, one of the oldest woodturning clubs in the United States, takes on the task of crafting bowls from its wood.
This unique initiative is set to take place at the Brookfield Craft Center on February 11, 2024. The woodturners, under the guidance of David Heim, President of the League, and in collaboration with Chris Schipper of the New Canaan Conservation Commission, aim to create pieces that are not just aesthetically pleasing but also steeped in the history of New Canaan. The finished products will be auctioned off as part of the centennial celebration of the Bristow Bird Sanctuary, contributing to its conservation efforts.
To discover more, visit the Nutmeg Woodturners League’s website at www.nutmegwoodturnersleague.org.
