The derecho left not only broken trees, but broken hearts in its wake. So many lofty, soaring sentinels were snapped and shattered that the whir of chain saws became white noise in the days and weeks that followed.

But not all the fallen trees were turned into mulch. Some of the trunks that remained standing have found new life as yard art.

Prolific carver

Carve R Way’s Clint Henik, 32, of Mount Vernon, has done more than 100 such carvings since the winds raged Aug. 10, 2020, and he has at least 200 more awaiting his chain saw artistry.