Soaring carved eagle adds to Jasper County Freedom Rock display in Sully’s central park

A carving of an eagle was completed on Saturday, Dec. 5, during the Sully Christmas Celebration. It was an outdoor event deemed safe to do during the pandemic, and many stopped by to watch and ask questions during the three-day project.

The eagle carving was funded by The Sully Foundation with the approval of the Sully City Council. When the dead ash tree was cut down, a 12-foot stump was left near the Jasper County Freedom Rock in the southeast corner of the Sully central park. Dusty Buzzard Chainsaw Carving owner Dave Bussard (hence the DB 2020 carved into the base of the carving) of West Des Moines spent three days turning the dead tree trunk into a very detailed eagle work of art.

Bussard began working on his carving on Thursday, Dec. 3.

During the past six years, Bussard has turned hundreds of tree trunks into works of art with his chainsaws and other tools.

“I was a professional tree guy for 30 years, cutting down trees. Six years ago, a neighbor asked if I would cut down his tree, and I did to help them out. Then they asked me to carve a mushroom in the tree trunk, and as is said, ‘the rest is history.’” Bussard saw all the neighbors taking pictures of their kids and their dogs with the mushroom and liked how happy they all were so “here I am still doing a chainsaw carving in a tree trunk.”

The finished work of art.

The eagle in the Sully park is just one of many majestic birds he has carved. Eagles are his most-requested work so he’s had plenty of practice. Some visitors who stopped by the first carving day on Thursday, Dec. 3, may notice the final product is much lower and different than Thursday. Bussard basically had to start over on Friday due to rotten wood he encountered in the stump, and the project was revised from a 12-foot stump to eight feet.

“I love small towns, this has been great, all the visitors, comments, and questions,” Bussard said about the project he completed mid-afternoon on Saturday, Dec. 5. He was amazed how nice the weather was and enjoyed the eagle carving.

Bussard sprayed a natural chemical substance on the eagle to prevent insect and disease damage. When the weather is warmer, the eagle will be sprayed with a preservative to make it last as long as possible for the enjoyment of those visiting the Freedom Rock. The eagle is also on the city’s surveillance camera system in case of vandalism.

Anyone interested in donating metal Co-Line benches to the eagle area with their names or the names of loved ones cut into the back should contact Sully Mayor Gordon Yarrington at 641-780-6901.

 

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