An old pin oak tree in the front yard of Charlotte Killian's East Lampeter Township home has found new life as a chain saw work of art.

"I wanted to accentuate the appeal of the front yard with something beautiful," Killian said. "I wanted something that people could enjoy."

Killian and her late husband, Ferman, had decided that if the tree had to come down, they would have it carved into an eagle.

The pin oak was in bad shape and had to be taken down, Killian said. So this week she honored her husband's wishes.

"I am having this done as a tribute to him," she said of her husband. They were married for three years.

Ferman passed away three years ago. He was known by many as the local "Mr. Coffee" having worked for local coffee companies for more than 65 years.

On Wednesday, standing in front of her house at 14 Highland Drive with two grandsons and some family friends, Killian finally witnessed the tree being carved into the shape of a magnificent eagle.

"We both liked eagles," she said. "My husband really loved them."

But it wasn't just any saw that gave their tree new life.

It was the work and magic of local tree carver Dean Fox, who specializes in on-location chain-saw sculptures.

Fox is known locally for creating chain-saw art from ordinary stumps. He also works in Maryland and the Philadelphia area.

"It's perfect," Killian said as she watched Fox carve the feathers.

"He even asked me from which direction I normally pull into the driveway so the eagle would look in that direction."

As he stared at the tree stump from the ground, Fox said he tries to bring life into the creatures that he carves.

His technique?

"You keep circling and going around it to find your angles and the look you want to achieve," he said.

Then he goes for it.

Fox said he would have the eagle completed by the end of the day, at an approximate cost of $800. Then, after it dries "a bit more," he said, it will get a protective finishing coat.

Killian's friend Julie Lee stared in awe at Fox's half-finished creation.

"He just started cutting without any lines or markings," she said. "It's amazing."

Fox said he is a self-taught carver and has been an artist for about 20 years.

"I painted for years as a hobby and had day jobs as a carpenter and truck driver," he said. "But eight years ago I left my day job and picked up this trade."

Fox will be exhibiting some of his work tonight for First Friday at Annex 24 Art Gallery, 24 W. Walnut St.

He said his satisfaction comes from the effect his work has on people.

"Look around. Look at what's going on right here," he said as people stopped by to take a look and chat.

"People gather around. Sometimes these are neighbors who've never met," he said. "They come out. They talk. And that's how they start a relationship."

Meanwhile, Killian was trying to come up with a name for her new art piece.

"Charlotte's Feathered Ferman," Lee suggested.

"I like it," Killian said.

ebetancourt@lnpnews.com