The Old Tree - Town Centre Mall, Kelowna,BC
Posted by: T0SHEA
N 49° 53.172 W 119° 29.476
11U E 321046 N 5528954
The Old Tree was carved from a 120 year old cottonwood tree. It is now on permanent display at Town Centre Mall.
Waymark Code: WMFT9C
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Date Posted: 11/27/2012
Views: 2
On August 6, 1997, at about 5:30 in the afternoon, a large thunderstorm struck the lakeside area of Kelowna, felling over 50 massive cottonwood trees in city park and damaging or destroying every boat moored at the nearby Kelowna Yacht Club. It was decided to salvage the largest tree (estimated to be 120 years old) as a tribute to all the trees that were destroyed that day.
The task of creating a sculpture from the tree fell upon Cliff Pettman, a world renowned sculptor born in Peace River, Alberta. He did not disappoint. This huge sculpture is one of the most impressive one will ever see. Weighing 7000 pounds, almost 10 feet in diameter and 16 feet in height, it incorporates not only a grizzly bear catching a salmon, but a native family (one paddling a canoe), and an eagle atop the carving.
The sculpture was placed in Town Centre Mall in June 1999 by removing the skylight in the centre of the building and lowering it into place with a large crane.