19 Trees
Completed!
Our Trees
Expired trees in the area are carefully selected based on public visibility, species conducive to sculpture, and of course, property owner permissions.
Isthmus Park,
Spirit Lake
The first OkoboTree sculpture was in a tree located at Isthmus Park in Spirit Lake. The cottonwood tree is along the trail and typically is not a tree that works best for carving. To be successful though, the artist carved multiple owls inside the tree to look like the might in a natural habitat nesting inside a tree.
Carver: Gary Keenen
June 2022
Lakeside Lab,
Wahpeton
Lakeside Lab is internationally known for its work with research, especially diatoms, so it only appropriate that a sculpture of a diatom be made from this expired tree straight inside campus from the stone entrance along Hwy 86. This tree was the second sculpted tree following the Isthmus Park tree.
Carver: Gary Keenen
June 2022
East of Big Spirit,
Orleans
This tree, located along the Spine Trail bike path, is just south of the intersection of 253rd Avenue and 125th Street along the east side of Big Spirit Lake. This tree had a solid base with multiple trunks, making it ideal for multiple fish species to be carved into it, including a walleye and two other native fish.
Carver: Gary Keenen
June 2022
Des Moines Beach, Okoboji
This tree, located along the public walking trail along Des Moines Beach on West Lake Okoboji, is just west around the point from Okoboji Boat Works. This Burr Oak tree was ideal for the home owners wish to have a blue jay carved as a nod to their alma mater Creighton.
Carver: Nate Hall
June 2023
Park, Wahpeton
This tree is located in the park area maintained by the Wahpeton Homeowners Association at the intersection of Danny Avenue and Joy Loy Lane in Wahpeton. This old tree made for the perfect foundation for the sculpting of three deer keeping an eye out for the neighborhood.
Carver: Nate Hall
June 2023
Private Home, West Lake Okoboji
This tree is located on private property of a home along West Lake Okoboji. The sculpture can be seen from the lake if you look carefully. It is located about 12 houses south of Pike's Point. OkoboTree will contract artists for personal sculptures as well at the homeowner's expense. This tree carving of multiple fish was the homeowner's wish for this expired tree.
Carver: Nate Hall
June 2023
Private Home, Spirit Lake
The location of this tree is in a residential area just a block off Highway 9 behind Kum and Go in Spirit Lake. It is a private residence but the sculpture is easily visible from the street. The owner wanted a replica of a smaller peg-legged sailor carving he had, including it all painted except for the face and the peg
leg, which remained natural wood color.
Carver: Clint Henik
September 2023
Canal, Wahpeton
This tree, located along the canals in Wahpeton, is at the end of Jerdee Lane. This very large old tree sees a lot of boat traffic and was embedded into the bank along the canal. The owner thought an anchor would be great carved there since the tree was an anchor to the canal community for years.
Carver: Clint Henik
September 2023
.jpg)
Maywood Fuller Park, Milford
This tree is located in Fuller Park in the Maywood addition south of Taco House in north Milford. This tree had a solid base with multiple trunks, making it ideal for multiple natural images. On one side, you'll see flowers and corn with the words Maywood, and on the other side, you will see a jumping fish.
Carver: Clint Henik
September 2023
Historic Arnolds Park, Arnolds Park
This tree, located along the boardwalk at Historic Arnolds Park, is right beside the wooden roller coaster and the train track. This walnut tree carving of Boji Bear waves at your from both sides, either welcoming you to the park or wishing you joy as you leave.
Carver: Clint Henik
June 2024
Pirate's Cove, Arnolds Park
This tree is located within Pirate's Cove miniature Golf Course in Arnold's Park. This Hackberry tree was carved and painted to fit right into the course's pirate motif with the sculpture of a pirate sitting on a coupe of barrels. .
Carver: Clint Henik
June 2024
Speier Park, Okoboji
This tree is located in Speier Park off Sanborn Avenue in Okoboji, just west of the Higgins Museum. This tree was carved with the word Okoboji to welcome visitors to the park.
Carver: Clint Henik
June 2024
Maywood,
Milford
The location of this tree is in the residential area of Maywood off West lake Okoboji. It is a private residence but the sculpture is easily visible from the street by the garage. The owner wanted the words Maywood carved in the tree with some local wildlife to welcome visitors.
Carver: Gary Keenen
June 2025
Rock & Roll Museum,
Arnolds Park
This tree, located next to the Rock and Roll Museum in Historic Arnolds Park, is there to welcome guests to the museum. This tree carving of a guitar and keyboard depicts the essence of the area and gets you in the mood for music before you even walk through the door.
Carver: Gary Keenen
June 2025
Private Home,
Okoboji
The location of this tree is visible in the 6300 block of Lakeshore Drive in Okoboji. It is a private residence but the sculpture can be seen through the trees near the house. The owner wanted a hawk keeping vigilant watch over the home. The stump base also has home features carved into it.
Carver: Clint Henik
May 2025
%205-29-25.jpg)
Golf Course, Spencer
This tree, located at the Spencer Municipal Golf Course, is in memory of Caddie. Caddie was born in their maintenance shed in October of 2018. The mother and other kittens left pretty quickly and Caddie remained behind. Caddie always loved to climb the tree outside the maintenance facility. Even after they lost her tree to the Emerald Ash Borer she would continue to climb up and sit on top of the stump. Caddie passed in the fall of 2024.
Carver: Clint Henik
May 2025
Abbie Gardner,
Arnolds Park
This tree is located near the cemetery at the Abbie Gardner cabin in Arnolds Park. The carving is of Abbie Gardner Sharp herself holding three doves depicting her three children.
Carver: Nate Hall
May 2025
Captain,
Terrace Park
This tree is located on private property on the corner of Terrace Park Blvd and Okoboji Avenue (just south the Taco House on old Hwy 71). The owner wanted a ship captain carving to honor her husband who has been the Captain of the Queen II - 2025 is his 25th year as Captain.
Carver: Nate Hall
May 2025
Private Home,
Spirit Lake
The location of this tree is in a residential area at the corner of 165th Street and 255th Avenue in Spirit Lake. The carving, visible from the road, is of a bear watching traffic that passes by.
.
Carver: Clint Henik
May 2025
