Oklahoma's trees took a beating during October's ice storm. Months later, most of them still show their scars.Some trees were shaved down to their stumps or pulled out of the ground. But one tree became something else entirely.Randy Murphy's October ice storm experience was memorable in all the worst ways."A lot of branches growing out over the street and over the house. And with the ice, it broke off a lot of the branches," Randy Murphy said. "And it really looked kinda gnarly looking and needed some tender loving care."But what Murphy did to the giant tree in his front yard is even more memorable for him and anyone driving by – Lady Liberty."You know, the flame shining bright. A beacon for all to see," he said.For Murphy, there's a reason he chose to transform his damaged oak tree into the statue that greeted immigrants arriving on Ellis Island."I'm a naturalized citizen. Coming to America means a lot to me. And I just thought that after what we went through last year, it's really still a unifying thing," Murphy said. The tree doesn't exactly provide the same shade, but it's turning heads. And Murphy said his Statue of Liberty is here to stay."A lot of people stop and really like it. Haven't heard from anybody who didn't agree with it," he said.Murphy didn't carve the Statue of Liberty himself. He hired a chainsaw artist to do the job.Murphy said he hopes his new artwork outlives him.
Oklahoma's trees took a beating during October's ice storm. Months later, most of them still show their scars.
Some trees were shaved down to their stumps or pulled out of the ground. But one tree became something else entirely.
Randy Murphy's October ice storm experience was memorable in all the worst ways.
"A lot of branches growing out over the street and over the house. And with the ice, it broke off a lot of the branches," Randy Murphy said. "And it really looked kinda gnarly looking and needed some tender loving care."
But what Murphy did to the giant tree in his front yard is even more memorable for him and anyone driving by – Lady Liberty.
"You know, the flame shining bright. A beacon for all to see," he said.
For Murphy, there's a reason he chose to transform his damaged oak tree into the statue that greeted immigrants arriving on Ellis Island.
"I'm a naturalized citizen. Coming to America means a lot to me. And I just thought that after what we went through last year, it's really still a unifying thing," Murphy said.
The tree doesn't exactly provide the same shade, but it's turning heads. And Murphy said his Statue of Liberty is here to stay.
"A lot of people stop and really like it. Haven't heard from anybody who didn't agree with it," he said.
Murphy didn't carve the Statue of Liberty himself. He hired a chainsaw artist to do the job.
Murphy said he hopes his new artwork outlives him.
Source link
