Palm Coast man hires chainsaw artist to turn aging sycamore into 9-foot eagle sculpture

Jack Healy also spent $460 to replace the aging tree, to comply with Palm Coast codes.

By Brian McMillan
| 12:54 p.m. April 18, 2017

'This carved sculpture will add another piece of unbelievable beauty to Palm Coast,' Ralph and Susan Mitchell wrote in an email. Photo courtesy of Ralph and Susan Mitchell

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

After Jack Healy learned the 32-inch-diameter sycamore tree behind his C-section home was unhealthy and had to come down, he had an idea. In fact, he said, “It’s the best idea I’ve had in 10 years. I’m so pleased with myself for thinking of it.”

Healy decided to have most of the tree removed but leave a 10-foot-tall stump, which he then commissioned a chainsaw artist to carve into a magnificent eagle, overlooking the canal behind his home, where he has lived for 16 years.

The chainsaw artist, Chad Gainey, traveled from Panama City to Palm Coast en route to a gig in South Florida as a commissioned artist with Husqvarna. He spent four hours on a Thursday afternoon at Healy’s home and another four hours on a Friday morning to carve the tree, using seven different chainsaws.

Healy spent more than $1,000 on the sculpture and another $460 to plant another tree to replace the sycamore to comply with Palm Coast’s codes.

Healy said he chose an eagle because it’s the symbol of America. “I was a kid during World War II,” he said. “I’m old enough to really like this country.”