Open house for iconic tree carvings

Dustin Wolf, son of Eddie Running Wolf, has been restoring his father's tree carvings, known as Spear Lodge Man, Cheyenne Holy Man, and Eagle Catcher, with assistance from Jeff Wolcott.

Spear Lodge Man is now complete, and Wolf and Wolcott want to share the process and the progress with the community at an open house Feb. 15 at 1:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m. at Wolcott's residence at 9700 Niwot Road.

The willow tree trunks carved by Eddie Running Wolf stood for years along Niwot Road, just west of 79th Street. But the iconic Native American sculptures suffered from the ravages of the sun, wind, rain and snow, as well as the trunks rotting from the inside due to the roots continuing to draw water to the trees. The carvings were removed in 2022 and 2023 and moved to Wolcott's barn east of Niwot.

Wolcott said, "When I started this project, I was worried because I had never done anything like

this. Carving, patching, and welding were all new to me, and I also learned a

lot about Native culture from Dustin. We have butted heads a few times but

always came out better friends in the end. This has been an honor to work on

and a delight to meet so many wonderful people here in Niwot. I have never felt

such a sense of community as I feel here."

Once restored, the carvings will be reinstalled in Niwot in an outdoor setting that protects them from the sun, wind, rain, ice, and snow in a location yet to be determined. One possible location, per the Niwot Master Plan commissioned by the Niwot Local Improvement District, would be in Left Hand Valley Grange Park near the LoBo Trail.

The Niwot Cultural Arts Association, the Niwot Business Association, and the Niwot Local Improvement District have funded the restoration, and the Boulder County Parks and Open Space Foundation awarded a $25,000 grant last year to assist in the cost of creating a protective structure and installing the restored tree carvings.

Please carpool if possible, as parking is limited.