A TREE stump in Yate is in the process of being transformed into a new sculpture for the town this week.

Located by the cottage at the Ridge crossroads, at the corner of Station Road and Broadway, it is all that remains of an iconic landmark sequoia, chopped down in October, due to disease.

After the felling, Yate Town Council commissioned artist Andy O’Neill to create a commemorative sculpture, which will serve as tribute to the once majestic conifer.

Pupils from Broadway Infants and Ridge Junior created drawings towards the work, which Andy has incorporated into the final design.

“It was an amazing response, there were loads of brilliant drawings, which I’ve been able to work from,” he said.

Scaffolding went up last Wednesday and then on Thursday, Andy, who is a chainsaw carver, set to work, removing the soft bark, before commencing on the sculpting.

“The basic idea for the sculpture is that in Anglo Saxon times, Yate was called ‘Gate’, as it was the gateway to the king’s wood. So at the top of the sculpture there is a king, and at the bottom there will be a gate.”

The king has long hair and a beard, which half way down the sculpture turn into leaves, which will be interwoven with lots of woodland animals.

A week into the project and Andy is nearly half way through.

A seasoned wood carver, he says he has worked with sequoia before, and that it’s a very durable wood.

“It’s lovely to carve, it cuts like butter,” he said. Working on the tree, chainsaw in hand, Andy has attracted quite a bit of attention.

“The response has been 100 per cent positive,” he said.

“People are really pleased that the tree is not just coming down completely, and that it will be living on in a different way.

“I’ve been beeped at, had thumbs ups, and lots of smiles.

“I’ve spent as much time chatting as carving.

“I’ve also been brought hot drinks, a bacon sandwich and even a Toblerone.

“I’m really pleased with how it’s going.

“I was quite nervous at first, because it’s sculpture of some magnitude, and in such a prominent position in my home town.

"But now it’s underway, I’m relaxed and enjoying it.”