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Des Moines' iconic catalpa tree can't become a sculpture

Jason Clayworth

A man wearing ear protection uses a chainsaw to cut a large tree in a cemetery, with gravestones and green grass in the background, and sunlit leaves overhead. — Tree sculptor Gary Keenan cut about 18 inches into the trunk and found it mostly hollow. The tree will be cut down in the coming days. Photo: Courtesy of Mike Rowley

A lightning-damaged tree at Woodland Cemetery is too hollow to become the giant sculpture preservationists had hoped for, Des Moines city officials tell Axios.

Why it matters: The finding closes off a possible second life for one of Iowa's largest known northern catalpas, though efforts continue to preserve its wood and genetics.

Driving the news: Urban forestry project manager Dan Just and tree sculptor Gary Keenan inspected the tree last week and concluded its hollow trunk cannot support a large carving.

State of play: The 79-foot tree has not yet been removed, Just tells Axios, and the city is still working through plans to safely take it down.

The city still plans to collect viable seed pods for public pickup.

Yes, but: The wood may still get another life.

The city is considering cutting a slab from the trunk that could become a table, depending on the wood's condition after removal.
Otherwise, much of the tree would be chipped for use around Des Moines.

What's next: Some seeds may be germinated and grown into seedlings for distribution or a community raffle next year or in 2028, Just says.

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Des Moines' iconic catalpa tree can't become a sculpture

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