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“As I looked over the valley of trees below, I felt that this was the ideal spot for my office. As I looked up I noticed the tall straight Tulip-poplar tree. No branches for the first 60+ feet, it would become the perfect totem.”

Artist’s Statement

Sitting on the bench, I pulled out my knife and cut a pair of pliers. As I looked over the valley of trees below, I felt that this was the ideal spot for my office. As I looked up I noticed the tall straight Tulip-poplar tree. No branches for the first 60+ feet, it would become the perfect totem.
I fired up the chainsaws on the morning of September 13, 2021. It would take the next eight days to shape the tree and make the 10 cuts that make each plier work.
The Totem of Five Pliers stands a little over 55 feet tall. Each Plier is turned at 22.5 degrees as they spiral down the totem. The spiraling gives the hikers multiple views of each plier as they hike the trail.

About the Artist

Dan Warther is the owner and operator of Warther Woodworking. He is the grandson of the “World’s Master Carver”, Ernest “Mooney” Warther.
Dan inherited his grandfather’s appreciation for the beauty of wood and his eye for quality. For over 30 years Dan has been making truly unique wooden items including his signature product, the music box bell. The lathe-turned wooden bells start with the selection of the finest hardwoods and a quality music box instrument. His pride in workmanship shows through as Dan hand signs each bell.
Warther Woodworking produces quality decorative wooden items available online and locally at the Warther Woodworking Retail Store. To learn more about the Warther Family and museum, visit the Warther Carving web site.

The Inspiration

Inspired by his grandfather Ernest “mooney” Warther, Dan Warther started carving pliers as a pre-teen. He has been enjoying woodworking ever since.
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