Angel Trees of Bay St Louis – A Story of Survival and Hope
There is an unusual sight that resides along the Mississippi Gulf Coast that, if you have never seen, should be high on your must-see list when visiting the area. The Angel Trees Of Bay St Louis adds not only beauty, but a reminder that tragedy can be turned into art with a common chainsaw.
Angel Trees of Bay St. Louis – A Story of Survival and Hope
There are 6 of these trees located at four different locations around the historic area of Bay St Louis. You’ll be quite impressed by the amount of detail the artist, Dayle Lewis, was able to carve into these trees.
As a chainsaw artist who hails from Indiana, he wanted to preserve these old oak trees by carving an angel into them. You will also find a likeness to animals and wings in each of them. After Hurricane Katrina ravaged this town, this artist decided to create beacons of hope from these trees. The Angel Trees of Bay St Louis are so inspiring to see.
One tree has quite a unique story. As the storm surge engulfed one resident’s home, she, along with her terrier Maddy and two of her neighbors, desperately clung to a large branch of an oak tree in her backyard. They clung to this branch for hours about 20 feet above the storm surge. Even at this height, the waves were still washing over them. She says that after the waters receded, they were able to climb down and see that the life-saving tree had been damaged beyond retrieval, after it had literally saved their lives.
When artist Lewis heard this story of survival, he was motivated to carve the tree into the shape of two angels with wings reaching toward Heaven, as a reminder that there is always hope after a disaster. One angel faces toward the town and the other faces out over the waterfront. This tree was moved to Demontluzin Avenue for easier viewing.
So Much Detail Made With A Chainsaw
More Locations Of Angel Trees of Bay St Louis
Walk through Cedar Rest Cemetery to find two carved trees.
You can also find trees at Century Hall and along Beach Boulevard.
Many businesses and residents have come back in full strength in Bay St Louis since Hurricane Katrina, but in talking to locals, it took many a long time to get back to what would have been normal before Katrina.
You might notice occasionally some damage from other storms to hit the area but consider a trip along the Gulf Coast.
Enjoy the Coastal area of Mississippi – also known as The Secret Coast.
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Happy Travels,
Rosemary
Another carved Angel tree is located in front of Christ Episcopal Church facing the beachfront.
Thank you for that information. I’ll add tht to my post. I hope to get back again for a better look.
That’s a beautiful story! The tree carvings are amazing 🙂
I want to go back and have better photos and see all of them.
These trees are amazing! If I am ever in that area, I must go see them.
You need to visit the South more. I’ll be your tour guide.
The angel! Such beauty!
They are gorgeous. And all the details.
A beautiful story. These are gorgeous!
These are one of those things which pictures don’t do it justice at all.
I can’t believe the talent of this artist! These trees are stunning. I love the the story of the angel tree – it gave me chills!
And to think it was done with a chainsaw. I hope to go back and visit again.
These carvings are spectacular. Can’t wait to see this in person one day!
I want to photograph them again, in better light. They are awesome.
Wow, I had no idea these beauties existed. And carved with a chainsaw! A beautiful testament to art and endurance of Mississippi residents,
They are such a ray of hope.
how beautiful and such a great story, it reminded me of the angel tree in Charleston, SC its over 300 years old and its also called the angel tree.
Yes, we’ve been to the Angel Oak Tree – it’s massive.
Thanks for sharing! I love learning about unique sights like this.
Some of my favorite things when traveling is places like this.
Wow, what a story! Thanks for taking the time to share it.
I love finding unique stories like this when traveling.
These trees are amazing! What a beautiful story and such a talented artist!
They are a beauty – so much talent.
Oh wow! This is so amazing. I’ve never seen anything carved in trees like that. These are truly beautiful!
They are amazing – can’t wait to return and see all of them. Such inspiration.
It looks like so much fun! I can’t wait to start travelling more this year and visit more beautiful places like this!
I love Coastal MS – so much more laid back than most coastal places. And great food.
Wow, I cannot believe that was carved out of a chainsaw! That is seriously amazing, thank you so much for sharing!
Aren’t they amazing. And the story of how they came about is too.
What beautiful art, and such a great story. I would love to see these if I was in the area, especially the ones in the cemetery! WOW
They are even more amazing in person. I need to go back for more and better pics.
Such an interesting place, the trees are magnificent and unique!
They are magnificent. I want to go back again.