Dundee Library works with husband-and-wife duo to transform tree struck by lightning
EAST DUNDEE — Back in July, one of the large cottonwood trees that once stood in front of the Dundee Library (555 Barrington Avenue, East Dundee) was struck by lightning during a summer storm.
According to officials from the Fox River Valley Public Library District (FRVPLD), which the Dundee Library is a part of, the tree was not completely split from the lightning strike, however, it was significantly weakened.
Due to the tree’s proximity to the library building, officials were distraught at the prospect of having to cut it down.
Despite the potential for a negative outcome, library officials were determined to figure out a way of transforming the fallen tree into a sculpture that would add some character and prominence to the library’s front yard.
As to why the tree was so meaningful to staff, it was because it had been planted around 1976, not too long after the Dundee Library was built. With time, the tree had grown to be several stories tall and measured 10 feet around.
After some careful planning and research efforts, library staff cut the tree down to six feet, as well as had the fortune to come across a husband-and-wife duo who just so happen to specialize in chainsaw art.
Hillsboro residents Chris and Brianne Hubbart are the proud owners of Hubbart Wood, a business where they create custom chainsaw carvings.
“A scroll through their website gallery and Facebook feed had us intrigued and after learning Chris’s ‘Wile E. Coyote In A Basket,’ and entry piece for the 2018 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s Chainsaw Carving in New Mexico won first place, we made the call,” stated FRVPLD officials.
The library and the Hubbarts agreed on transforming what was left of the historic tree into a fox with books.
“We had many phone calls with Chris to hone in on our vision. It did take a bit of a leap of faith…Chris is a true artist and explained that the sculpture would emerge as he worked,” added library staff. “He told us that if we loved the photos we had seen of his work, we would love what he would create for us. He was right!”
The library went further to explain that during discussions with the Hubbarts, their beloved Friends of the Library group disbanded after having dedicated many years of fundraising efforts and support to the FRVPLD.
Despite the loss of its fundraising group, the library was left with a parting gift, which the library wanted to use for something that all its patrons would enjoy for years to come.
It was then decided that a portion of the funds left by the Friends of the Library group would be used to commission the chainsaw sculpture.
Chris and Brianne arrived in East Dundee on Nov. 7, with a truck that was loaded with multiple chainsaws, carving tools, blowers, paint, and scaffolding. The duo documented the whole carving process on their business website, with each day bringing something new for individuals to marvel at.
The Hubbarts completed the sculpture on the night of Nov. 10, telling library staff that they’d be back in the area sometime soon as they had been commissioned to make another sculpture nearby.
Chris and Brianne travel from coast to coast to share their unique gift and document their many adventures through videos they post on their website and Facebook page.
“East Dundee at Dundee Library. Words can’t express how awesome it was to be a part of this project and this community for the past week,” wrote Chris on the Hubbart Wood Facebook page.
He continued, “We hope you enjoyed watching this project come together as much as we did. We had an absolute blast touring the community and hearing from the [residents] of East and West Dundee. We have already booked more work in the area and look forward to exploring more of the beautiful suburbs of Chicago.”
