Gisborne man turns felled elm into striking morepork carving

Eric Douglas carved an owl out of a tree that was felled in his front garden in Gisborne. Photo / Anne-Marie de Bruin

A unique bird has emerged from a Te Hapara tree after an elm was felled in the front garden of Eric Douglas.

Douglas carved ruru or morepork from the tree’s stump and said it took him about a week.

He said that the bird was inspired by a picture, and he had also seen a similar creation in the North Island at Raetihi.

The Gisborne Herald went to check out the creation after being “dobbed in” by neighbour Vicki Summerfield.

Douglas and his wife Heather were in the garden to show off the bird now occupying pride of place in front of the house.

They said that the tree could have become firewood.

Eric Douglas carved an owl out of a tree that was felled in his front garden in Gisborne - inspired by the bird from this picture. Photo / Anne-Marie de Bruin