ESSAY

Dying trunks brought back to life

By John Gathright

I have just returned from a trip to Denmark to meet Allen Bo Jensen, a famous tree-climbing Danish sculptor and a treasured friend. Allen is a big and burly Viking. He may not wield a sword and shield yet he goes to work more heavily armed than his Viking ancestors in full battle gear. Wearing protective gear, helmet a1d spiked boots, and with a chainsaw in one hand, he looks like a very dangerous man. But inside this heavy armor is a person with a passion for nature and a love for children.

Allen has not always been a tree person. He started off on the sea. Allen's mother died while he was young and life with his father was very difficult, so he set off for the freedom and adventure of a sailor's life. Like his ancestors he felt at home on a ship and enjoyed visiting exotic lands, meeting new people, and dabbling in different lifestyles and cultures.

Allen has always been creative. He loves to draw and sculpt and make things out of natural materials. Brought up on the tales of Hans Christian Andersen, Allen always had a love for folklore, fantasy and fun. It was tree work that brought all of these together.

On one of his travels, Allen found himself attracted to Israel and living in a commune. But life in the desert and the lack of greenery and trees proved too much for this Viking and he headed home. When he returned to Denmark, he found an ad for tree workers - strong men who were not afraid of heights and hard work. This fit him to a T. Allen took the job and it changed his life.

He loved the trees and forests, but he did not like cutting them down. He would rather help trees and do something for the environment. Finally, he was given the chance to climb and prune trees. Allen loved it. Cutting out dead and rotting wood helped trees become healthier and look better. It was fun to be up with the birds and small animals. Allen was in heaven.

彫刻家とはいえ、作業のときのジェンセンさんはヘルメットを身に付け、チェーンソーを手にしている

Allen's love for creation and children led him to pioneer a new idea of giving dignity to trees and helping the community too. Allen became known as an excellent arborist. He was soon in great demand. Churches, schools and individuals wanted him to make their trees safer or remove old, dying trees.

One day Allen started using pruned branches for playgrounds. He created huge 30-meter snakes for kids to climb on. Tree trunks became popular figures from history and children's books. He created huge statues of Vikings, whales and dolphins in playgrounds for kids to enjoy.

I was amazed at the size and beauty of his sculptures. A tree-climber and tree-lover myself, I tingled with joy to see his work. What were once dying trunks had been brought back to life with an artistic warmth and humor. I felt that the trees were given dignity and pride by not being left to die a lonely death.

My four-day visit was over in a wink and I had to return to Japan. On the way home from the airport, I happened on some Japanese tree workers who were feeding huge branches and tree trunks into a chipper machine. There was a big hole in the sidewalk where once a tree had stood. I shivered with sadness. Just think, standing in that hole could be a wonderful sculpture for the neighborhood to enjoy. Those branches would make great playground toys for kids.

Shukan ST: Nov. 12, 2004

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