Here’s a novel idea-instead of chopping down a tree to make way for patio furniture, how about shaping the trees in your backyard to be chairs?

Artist Richard Reames of Oregon has been practicing this art which he calls “arborsculpting” for several years. Through a process of careful bending, grafting, and pruning, Reames guides the living tree into a preconceived form.

Sometimes the result is practical-creating a table and chairs-and other times artistic, but it always makes you say, “Cool.” Check out the images of his other creations. My favorite is the boat!

He frequently gives speeches to landscapers and gardeners and has written a book about his techniques called How To Grow a … Living FurnitureOriginally from On The Level by Dave