The Music Tree – New Orleans, Louisiana - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

The Music Tree

New Orleans, Louisiana

A hurricane-stricken oak tree has been reborn as a beautiful chainsaw artwork. 

View all photos
Symbols of New Orleans carved into the trunk of the tree J Ginsberg (Atlas Obscura User)
Symbols of New Orleans carved into the trunk of the tree J Ginsberg (Atlas Obscura User)
A pelican carved into the trunk of the tree J Ginsberg (Atlas Obscura User)
The top branches carved into birds in flight. J Ginsberg (Atlas Obscura User)
The top branches carved into birds in flight. J Ginsberg (Atlas Obscura User)
Guitars and a keyboard carved into the trunk J Ginsberg (Atlas Obscura User)
360
798
Top Places in New Orleans
The Battle of NOLA
The Conti Wax Museum
New Orleans, Louisiana
The Singing Oak
New Orleans, Louisiana
Labyrinth at Audubon Park
New Orleans, Louisiana
 See All

Not to be confused with the nearby Singing Oak tree in New Orleans’ City Park, the “Music Tree” does not make any music but rather pays tribute to it. This dead oak at the south end of Bayou St. John has been reborn as beautiful chainsaw artwork. 

The tree survived the water and wind of Hurricane Katrina only to be struck and killed by a bolt of lightning in 2012 during Hurricane Isaac. At the behest of the organizers of New Orleans’ annual Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo, master chainsaw artist Marlin Miller set about transforming the tree after its unfortunate fate. 

Miller carved snakes, a fleur de lis, a phoenix-like eagle, guitars, a piano keyboard, and a pelican into the trunk of the tree. The gnarled branches became birds in flight. He drew from the area’s history for inspiration, specifically when the bayou served as the entryway for the French founding fathers of the city some 300 years ago—a passage likely witnessed by the old oak tree.

Know Before You Go

The tree is easily visible most of the year. It stands alone by the intersection of Orleans Avenue and Bayou St. John. For one weekend each year, however, the shores are packed with visitors to the city's music festival. 

cities festivals trees music plants art history
Community Contributors
J Ginsberg
Added by
J Ginsberg
b
Edited by
bdudley2016
Published
November 10, 2017
Edit this listing
Make an Edit Add Photos
Nearby
The Oldest Fire Hydrant in New Orleans
0.32 miles
The Luling Mansion
0.50 miles
The Singing Oak
0.65 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
The oldest fire hydrant in New Orleans.
New Orleans, Louisiana

The Oldest Fire Hydrant in New Orleans

This Birdsill Holly fire hydrant is the remnant of a very different type of hydration innovation.
New Orleans, Louisiana

The Luling Mansion

Despite the ever pressing encroachment of urban sprawl this grand New Orleans manse still stands.
The Singing Tree.
New Orleans, Louisiana

The Singing Oak

This New Orleans tree is filled with hidden chimes that produce a carefully tuned melody.
General Laundry Building.
New Orleans, Louisiana

General Laundry Building

It's clear this abandoned Art Deco gem was no ordinary cleaners.
Related Places
One of Dia's additions to 7000 Oaks.
New York, New York

7000 Oaks

Twenty-three trees, each paired with a basalt stone, line a street in Chelsea, continuing an urban project started by German Fluxus artist Joseph Beuys.
Much Marcle, England

Much Marcle Ancient Yew

One of the oldest and most majestic living trees in Britain, thought to be over 1,500 years old.
Tokyo, Japan

Hanegi Park

The 650 red and white Japanese plum trees of this Tokyo neighborhood blossom each spring.
Anchorage, Alaska

Alaska Native Heritage Center

See a full-scale whale skeleton and experience the captivating culture of Alaska’s Native people at this heritage center in east Anchorage.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web