When I arrived at the City of Toronto location where the branch was stored the staff graciously helped to load the branch onto my truck with the assistance of a crane. The shape of the branch as well as the tree’s condition due to age, environmental stress, and evidence of some insect destruction inspired my design. These factors will all contribute to the amazing character of this piece.
The first step in the making process was to spray for bugs (with an indoor/ outdoor environmentally friendly product). After I was certain that were no live insects in the branch, I began the debarking process. Once this step was complete I sprayed for bugs again.
Using a chainsaw, I then cut out the seats. My original design had two single seats and one double, but after making my cuts and seeing the inner core of the log, I decided to modify the design by making three single seats of generous size.
I have now started the process of hollowing out the branch which is comparable to opening a major artery, not wanting to take too much of the core away so that the branch remains strong -patience is a virtue!
After one week of lovingly working on this amazing piece, the Forever Bench is bringing the Maple Leaf Forever branch back to life once again!
Visit my website and the Baker Brothers Facebook Page for regular updates on the progress of the bench.
You can bid on this item and others made with wood from the Maple Leaf Forever Tree. Click here to go to the online auction website. A portion of the proceeds for this project will support LEAF's urban forestry initiatives
Blair Baker grew up on a farm in Schomberg, Ontario where he discovered and cultivated his talent for woodworking. His passion is designing and handcrafting custom furniture and art pieces from fallen trees, transforming a vision–a description, a simple sketch—into a piece worth cherishing.