News : \'Gone with the Wind\': Library tree is now a monument to books

The top of the chain saw sculpture on library property includes several books.

The storm-damaged ginkgo tree near the library is becoming Brian Parr's latest chainsaw sculpture.

The tree was cut down because of damaged caused by the July 11, 2011 storm.

Head Start preschool students admire Brian Parr's tree sculpture near the Vinton Library.

Views of the finished sculpture...

Brian Parr's initials are on the bottom of the sculpture.

What a difference three days can make.

On Thursday morning, several Head Start preschool student gathered around the newest landmark in Vinton, the sculpture made by Brian Parr outside the Vinton library.

The Vinton library staff members had stood at the window Monday, mourning the loss of the ginkgo tree as a man in a City of Vinton truck cut it down. The tree was significantly damaged during the July 11, 2011, storm.

"I feel like I am losing a part of me,:" said Children's Librarian Sharon Rhinehart.

But like many of the trees affected by the storm, this one will endure as a sculpture created by Vinton chainsaw artist Brian Parr. Parr has created a dozen or so sculptures on storm-damaged trees, including at Vinton Parks and even his own front yard.

The library sculpture (naturally) includes several books, one of them which is most appropriately titled, "Gone with the Wind."

Parr said the tree carved "beautifully." In some cases, trees affected by the July winds presented challenges for him, because of damage to the wood caused by the 130 mph winds.