Having been encouraged to enjoy the outdoors for its natural beauty, I spent most of my teenage weekends volunteering for the Ranger Service at nearby Beecraigs Country Park.

 

I decided to pursue a career in Rangering and spent two years at college studying conservation management before back-tracking and completing chainsaw and forestry machinery operation qualifications.  My first job with a Utility clearance company introduced me in to the profession of tree surgery, and having gained new employment with local arboricultural and forestry contractor ‘Cut Above Specialist Tree Services’ I quickly adapted to working with chainsaws from a rope and harness.

 

Competing in Pole Climbing championships and the UK Loggers, took me to shows throughout the UK where there was often a chainsaw carver demonstrating between arena events which inspired me to try carving myself.  As you would expect lots of sawdust and many interesting creations have led to me producing completely exclusive and desirable centrepieces, sighted from small domestic gardens to business foyers, public parks and private woodlands.

 

 Chainsaw Carving by Jonny Stableford

All of my timber, which is all soft-wood, comes as a by-product of the work I carry out as a full time arboriculturalist and tree surgeon. The vast majority of these trees are being removed due to the high safety risk they pose, although some trees are felled due to the construction of new pathways and buildings.  This provides an alternative use to landfill and maintains the timbers menial value.

Unless specified all of my carvings are created using chainsaws only and from a single log.  Sometimes it may be required to use sanders or fine detail tools however I feel they detract from the rugged look of the chainsaw.