The Morgantown Tree

The Morgantown Tree is a collaborative community sculpture from 2013. Artist Carol Hummel worked with over 100 community members to blanket a willow oak tree in crocheted and knitted macrame cord. Each participant supplied a unique section of fabric which was then entwined with the existing work. The project took over a month to complete. Synthetic yarn was used so that the installation would better maintain color and integrity over time. The work was originally intended to be displayed for at least a year, though it has outlived this goal many times over and is still in excellent condition. The wide stitches allow the tree to grow unimpeded by the fabric. Hummel has completed similar projects in Michigan, Ohio, Norway, and India.