Wood carving continues despite rain at Leila Arboretum

The weekend rains did not stop the chainsaws at Leila Arboretum.

Carvers, with power tools, continued shaping dead ash trees into works of art as part of the week-long Fantasy Forest Art Competition at the Battle Creek preserve at 928 W. Michigan Ave.

Sixteen dead ash trees will become a permanent display just east of the main entrance in a unique competition.

Rain, sometimes heavy, didn’t deter the carvers Saturday or Sunday as they created on scaffolding while wearing protective eye wear and ear muffs.

The emerald ash borer killed several trees in the arboretum, but rather than removing them, the competition was devised and artists are competing for a $5,000 first prize and $3,000 for second.

Carvers are working through each day all week, even in rain, said Brett Myers, executive director.

Winners will be announced at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Weather did cancel some activities on Sunday, but Myers said others events are scheduled each day of the week and the event is open to the public. Several people, some carrying umbrellas, wandered about Sunday watching carvers working on their creations.

More information and a complete schedule is available at www.lasgarden.org.

Call Trace Christenson at 966-0685. Follow him on Twitter: @TSChristenson.