A TREE surgeon has turned the remains of the former tallest tree in the UK, which used to reside at Lake Vyrnwy, into a wooden wonder.

Gifted sculptor Simon O’Rourke from Rhosddu, Wrexham, was commissioned to carve the remains of the tallest tree in the UK, a Scots Oak, into a wonder.

The 209-ft tall tree at Lake Vyrnwy, Powys, was felled for safety reasons when it was battered by storms earlier this year.

But creative Simon and his best friend and fellow artist Nathan Woodcock, saw an opportunity to strike, and have been turning it into a giant hand.

Simon, 33, was one of eight artists to tender for the job but it was his visionary sketch designs that earned him the commission.

“The tree was integral to the Giants Of Vyrnwy trail, so my design took the giants theme and consisted of a giant hand,” he said.

“The hand is trying to do what the tree was doing in the first place and reach for the sky.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and a real honour to carve such a special tree.

“If treated properly it will last up to 40 years which is a nice thought.”

The 124-year-old tree was given the chop when it was found to be leaning to one side following storms in March, but it is not the first tall order for Simon.