The Singing Trees

Sculpture design by Ben Roth & created with Brad Watsabaugh Beetle-killed Lodgepole Environmental Art Installation – Ford Park, Vail, CO

Town of Vail, Art in Public Places (AIPP) – The Singing Trees, a spectacular environmental art installation utilizing beetle-killed lodgepole pine by artists Ben Roth and Brad Watsabaugh, is now on view in Vail’s Ford Park. The Wildland Firefighting Division of the Vail Fire Department and A Cut Above Forestry of Breckenridge, CO cut standing dead lodgepole pines selected for this project from private property in East Vail. The trees were then transported to the lower bench of Ford Park by the Town of Vail’s Public Works where the installation was created to the applause of onlookers by the artists with the assistance of friends, family, and the team at Public Works.

This installation captures the raw beauty in what would otherwise be devastated forestry. Combining a sensibility for nature and a keen eye for design this area of Ford Park has been transformed by the artists into an exceptional environmental art installation. The artists dissected the trees longitudinally from root to top by hand with chainsaws and created benches with the remaining half of the split trees. The result is 90 degree structures arranged in an interactive and engaging pattern for the viewer. As most trees are sawed at a cross section, this will be an opportunity to examine the growth of tree and branches in the entirety of the tree’s life. The bluestaining left by the fungi carried by the beetle that ultimately kills the lodgepole pine is visible in the exposed trees. The relocated trees stand nearly 50 feet tall.

A native of Colorado, Roth currently lives and works in Jackson, WY. His passion for art is a direct result of the striking beauty of his surroundings. “What is it about an Aspen branch, or bend in a stream that is so arresting? That is the impact I want to capture in my work,” says Roth. His environmental installations appear as mirages or curiosities of nature. Watsabaugh is a native of Jackson Hole, WY. He constructs log homes, cabinetry, and furniture, among a multitude of other objects in this medium.

“Seeing these trees die during our lifetime is only a narrow snapshot of the life of a forest. The benefits of the beetle kill for the health of a forest will not happen for 100 to 150 years. It is certainly hard for us witness, but if something good comes out of something bad while it is occurring this is an interesting project,” explains Todd Oppenheimer, Senior Landscape Architect and Capital Projects Manager for the Town of Vail.

A celebratory opening for this major environmental artistic feat will take place on July 10th at the installation site in Ford Park. AIPP greatly appreciates the assistance of Vail Fire Department, A Cut Above Forestry, and the Town of Vail’s Public Works for their assistance in this project.

Intertwining art with nature the AIPP calendar of summer events include art courses for youths and adults taught outdoors at Vail’s Nature Center co-sponsored by the Nature Center and the Art Center in Gypsum; and the extended loan of two “Steelroots” sculptures by internationally renowned artist Steve Tobin to be placed in Lionshead and Vail Village.