New life for grand tree at Bellbrae Estate

A CENTURY-old pine that collapsed at Bellbrae Estate late last year will take on a new life when Surf Coast artist Brock Fidler starts his chainsaw this week.

The 120-year-old Monterey pine has been lying on its side since wild storms lashed large parts of the state in mid-October, prompting Mr Fidler to approach the winery with his folio that includes sculptures carved from similar aged trees in the region.

“I have worked on a carving of such size out the back of Freshwater Creek on a private farm property, a cypress I turned into a four metre high eagle… I cut some steps up the back and also did a baby eagle,” he said.

Before work can start on his latest canvas that will become “an ocean-themed abstract”, he and an offsider must first remove the debris of protruding limbs.

“I could start the drawing now, but it is a little bit tricky just in case there’s some parts of the tree that don’t allow me to carve, where there may be rot for example,” he said.

“As the tree reveals itself, the work will become clearer.”

Mr Fidler experts to start carving early next week and have the project finished, including an oil coat, within two weeks.