Tree carvings made after Hurricane Katrina need a little TLC

Aug. 29 is the 12th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. We Gulf Coasters possess a silver lining left by this disaster — the 50 tree carvings along U.S. 90.

When it became obvious that Live oak trees (some of them ancient) had not survived the brutal wind and saltwater forces of Katrina, three young men transformed their death into beautiful art.

Dayton Scoggins of Mississippi, Marlin Miller of Florida and Dayle Lewis of Indiana carved the birds and mammals of the Gulf of Mexico from the remains of these majestic oaks.

Shore birds, dolphins and even eagles rise from tree trucks and limbs, from Biloxi to Pass Christian.

But we have not been good stewards of these gifts. The protective clear coating (probably polyurethane) has disappeared almost entirely. The raw wood is exposed to semi-tropical sun, rain and salt air.

The art loving community and/or cities should immediately undertake rescue of these dear reminders that beauty can be born of disaster.

Otherwise, these daily statements that we survived Katrina will become her last victims.

This story was originally published August 20, 2017 at 4:45 AM with the headline "Tree carvings made after Hurricane Katrina need a little TLC."