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WASHINGTON - A decaying maple tree in Virginia has been turned into a work of art by an area chainsaw sculptor.
"My husband wanted this carved instead of just chopping it down," says Rose Sweterlitsch.
Northern Virginia chainsaw sculptor Andrew Mallon took the tree, found on 26th St N in Arlington, and turned it into an enchanted castle, complete with several towers and a bridge.
Sweterlitsch is quite proud of what's become of a decaying old maple tree in her front yard and says this has awakened her imagination.
"To me, it's like the lords live up above, and the villagers live down below. So to me, that's what it looks like you know. But everybody can kind of make up their own story. And he even carved our own house at the bottom there."
The tree sculpture, first reported by ARLnow, can be located near Bishop O'Connell High School and Tuckahoe Elementary School.
Mallon has brought to life all sorts of wooden masterpieces -- from bears, and a dragon, to a huge sculpture of Bigfoot.
"And it's been a great thing for the neighborhood because all the kids come by and make stories about what's going on and how, and imagination -- using their imagination to make stories about what it is."
Mallon owns AM Sculptures and can be commissioned for other carved works. He has been celebrated through Northern Virginia for his work and regularly participates in regional carving events.
"He's very very talented," says Sweterlitsch.
They say it was created by the artist over the course of a couple of weeks this winter and expect the bill to reach thousands of dollars.
"He did tell us there would be bridges and things, but we didn't know exactly what it would look like. It kind of evolves as he's working on it you know," she says.
All they have to do is put some finish on it every couple of years to make sure it doesn't rot, but otherwise, they can simply enjoy it.
"It's been fun to watch the kids get enjoyment out of it. And we like it. We really like it."