What was once a damaged tree left in the wake of a devastating storm is now becoming something entirely different — a piece of art, a conversation starter and a symbol of renewal.
Chainsaw artist Luca Jean Bourgeault, owner of Luca Chainsaw Carving, recently turned a tornado-damaged tree at Perryville City Park into a whimsical sculpture featuring three small bears climbing and playing along the trunk.
The tree, which was heavily damaged during the March 2025 tornado, had initially been slated for removal. Instead, park officials saw an opportunity to give it new life — one that would be enjoyed by the community for years to come.
Enter Bourgeault, a Sparta, Illinois-based artist known throughout the Illinois and Missouri region for his detailed, on-site chainsaw carvings.
“I’m going to do a tree with bears inside of it,” Bourgeault said as he worked, describing the design. “One at the base looking up, another hanging on the side, one climbing down, and one waving from the top.”
The result is both playful and striking — a scene that seems pulled straight from a children’s story, carved entirely from a tree that once stood broken and forgotten.
Bourgeault’s path to chainsaw carving is as unique as his artwork.
Originally from Quebec, Canada, he worked in technology, building Android applications before discovering his artistic talent just four years ago while working near Mount Rushmore.
“I had no art skill whatsoever,” he said. “I just tried it for fun, and I became one of their best carvers pretty quickly. That’s when I realized it was a gift I didn’t know I had.”
That realization changed everything.
Since then, Bourgeault has built a reputation for transforming ordinary — and often damaged — trees into custom works of art, including bears, eagles and rustic signage. His specialty is carving on-site, allowing him to work directly with trees where they stand.
In Perryville, that approach turned a storm-scarred tree into a centerpiece.
Rather than removing the damaged trunk, the project preserves a piece of the park’s history while giving it a new purpose — one rooted in creativity and community.
Bourgeault said projects like this highlight something he believes strongly.
“We all have creativity,” he said. “Sometimes you just don’t know until you try it.”
Perry County Parks and Recreation Director Jim Cadwell noted the carving offers more than just visual appeal — it provides a meaningful way to remember the storm while moving forward.
Instead of erasing the damage, the park has chosen to transform it.
The finished sculpture is expected to become a favorite for park visitors, especially families and children drawn to the playful bears climbing the trunk.
And for Bourgeault, that’s part of the reward.
By the end of the day, what began as a broken tree had become something entirely new — a reminder that even in the aftermath of destruction, there is always the possibility of creating something lasting.
