Branches of the Wolf Tree

A wolf tree is a New England term for a tree that is much older than those around it, often by 100 to 200 years. Its characteristically low, wide-spreading branches are the result of being left to grow after the surrounding forest was cut and cleared, usually during the colonial era. These solitary trees were left standing for shade, to mark boundaries or to provide acorns and nuts for field animals.

Wolf trees are an important support to their local ecology by providing habitats for a broad range of species. Their presence also stands as witness to the changes of land use over time, from precolonial to the present. The branches of the venerable wolf tree serve as a metaphor for the diverse ecosystems of Cape Cod. These ‘branches’ (beaches, dunes, salt and fresh water, moors, grasslands, and woodlands) are closely linked and ecologically distinct.

Branches of the Wolf Tree field notes

With my camera I seek out the details of these environments, mindful of our interconnectedness with all plants, animals and creatures of the sea and air. As I chronicle the seasons here, I find myself producing images of reverence for this fragile landscape.

The artworks are cyanotypes that I am hand-printing in two sizes. The small devotional images are ‘votives’ (9 x 12”/22 x 30cm). The large ones (23 x 29”/58 x 74cm) are made up of 12 individually printed panels joined together with archival tape.

I have an exhibit of this project currently showing at The Schoolhouse Gallery, Provincetown, until October 1, 2024. Artwork can be purchased directly through me or through the gallery. Contact me for more information.