Tree Sculptures of Galveston Island - Galveston, Texas

Supporters: The Galveston Arts Center: https://www.galvestonartscenter.org/

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Tour with Spotify:
👂Listen: Rosenberg Fountains
👂Listen: East End Historical District
👂Listen: Texas Heroes Monument
👂Listen: Silk Stocking District

Interested in information covered in this episode? Dive deeper into the links below! :
East End Sculpture Map

Transcript:
The Island’s tree sculptures are one of the most popular self guided excursions in Galveston. These charming landmarks can be found all over the island, but are concentrated around the historic East End. On September 13th, 2008, Hurricane Ike covered most of the Island in a tidal surge, which inundated most of the low lying areas of the island. This title surge was mostly salt water from the bay, which devastated most of the oak trees North of Broadway. Rather than cut down the doomed oak trees completely, residents and artists decided to use the trunks and limbs of many of the oaks to breath new life into the devastated island!Historic, artistic and just plain fun sculptures have been carved out of the oaks to replaced the majestic canopy that once covered many neighborhood streets and shaded homes. As you explore the island you will find these sculptures hiding in gardens and nestled in yards as a fun and subtle reminder of the resiliency of Galveston Island and it’s residents. Many of the sculptures are found in the East End Historic District, But you will also see them in the Lost Bayou, San Jacinto, and Silk Stocking Districts.  Many of the sculptures were carved in the years following hurricane Ike, but the carvings have become a trending phenomenon among homeowners with dying oak trees.  If you are lucky, you may stumble upon an artist sculpting an old oak on a morning walk!

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