Asheville wood carver at work

A white oak tree at the Duke Mansion in Charlotte died last year, but its trunk is gaining a new use as the centerpiece of the new Judy Harrison Barry Children’s Garden on the grounds in Myers Park. The tree was more than 100 years old.

Wood sculptor Mark Strom of Asheville is creating a 17 1/2-foot-tall sculpture of Peter Rabbit and friends with a big carrot on top.

Strom said he’s not keen on heights but has gotten used to standing 12 feet off the ground while working on a scaffold around the old tree. Its circumference is 16 1/2 feet.

Strom will also carve four Peter Rabbit statues for the garden. The tree sculpture is due to be finished in early- to mid-April.