Mighty Oak Meditation Throne in the Making

This northern red oak tree began growing in 1846, according to the estimate of the late Roy Lukes and his wife, Charlotte. It soared 63 feet in the yard of a house on Nautical Drive in Sturgeon Bay owned by Jen DuPont. The tree stood sentry for centuries, surviving development and Mother Nature, the Peshtigo Fire and winter’s worst. 

Then, last fall, lightning struck her down. DuPont has been honoring the historical tree by making the wood available to local artists and using the wood herself to make coasters and a line of charcuterie boards. 

This week on Tuesday, artist Paul Salmon, owner of Krystal Kleer Ice Sculptures, began carving a meditation throne out of the mighty oak’s eight-foot-tall stump.

“She will continue to stand as a focal point on the property in another form, and will be a peaceful place for contemplation,” DuPont said. Photo by D.A. Fitzgerald.