Renaissance of a Tree

The Work

The sculpture is carved from the remains of a large cottonwood tree. The work pays tribute to both the tree and the Peregrine Falcon which returned to Okanagan skies after a 40-year absence.

The Project

On August 6, 1997, a storm felled a number of large cottonwood trees in Kelowna's City Park. The following year, the operators of a restaurant in the Park approached the City with a proposal to create a sculpture from one of the fallen trees with financial assistance from Riverside Forest Products of Kelowna.

A major restoration of the sculpture was undertaken in 2007 by the original artist, Peter Ryan. Due to further deterioration, the base was re-carved in red cedar by Ryan in 2008. The young falcon in the nest was also added at that time.

The Artist

Peter Ryan moved from Toronto to Vancouver in 1974, and his original plan to work as a truck driver was abandoned after he saw a chainsaw carving demonstration and decided to try his hand at this unique art form. Pete went on to complete his art studies which has been followed by a successful career as a world-champion chainsaw carver, specializing in wildlife forms. Twenty-seven of his large-scale sculptures are featured throughout Hope, BC, and his work can also be seen in Langley, BC and Manning Park, BC.