After years as a tree trimmer, Brad Heilman decided it was time for a change.

He chose a new occupation that allows him to use the same tools and work with wood, but in a slightly different way.

Heilman, 50, started his own business, BDH Custom Chain Saw Carving near Zion's View.

"I wanted to get my feet on the ground, and I like chainsaws," he said.

He has a good eye for shape and design, a talent that proves helpful when deciding to turn a log or tree trunk into a work of art.

"I picture it in my mind," he said and as the larger chunks of wood fall away the shape of a bear or an eagle, a dolphin or a wolf begins to emerge.

Sometimes he has to alter the shape of the carving because of an unexpected surprise, such

Charlie White is a local chainsaw artist who has made this statue and other works, including a Nittany Lion, out of wood. (Submitted)
as a rotten section or a crack in the wood, and he is always on the lookout for dangers posed by a bullet or nails.

"Nails are my biggest concern," Heilman said.

He will try his hand at just about anything, and his work can be found from Maine to Florida to Texas, he said.

He gets all kinds of requests, and the finished product "all depends on what you want. I show people my book with pictures of my work and help them decide. Sometimes they have a collection of something, maybe roosters, and want a rooster. I do a lot of bears. They are a big thing, everybody loves bears," Heilman said.

Some of his more unusual carvings include a teapot for a tea shop in Hallam and the Pickle Man in Dillsburg. His other works, many of them scattered around York County, include totem poles, grizzly bears, a medicine man and wolf, the late NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt and even benches that are both eye-catching and functional.

"I like doing the artsy stuff and the one-of-a-kind carvings," Heilman said. "One of my most favorites is one I did for a man who was a World War II pilot who flew the last mission over Japan. I did an aviator for him, right down to the way he dressed, the leather aviator's helmet and everything."

While

Wood carving by Charlie White of Hellam Township. (Submitted)
he worked on the carving Heilman got to know the man and, on rainy days, spent time listening to him talk about the war and his experiences.

"That was an enjoyable way to learn history," he said.

Heilman does a lot of his work on-site - maybe the stump of an old tree that has stood in a front yard for many years. People also bring him a couple of logs from a "sentimental tree" to be carved into a particular shape, he said.

He has a lot of logs in his backyard and is waiting for the weather to improve to get started again.

"February is a slow time. You get sawdust on the top of snow and you'll wait until July to get it apart. You remember, they used to store ice packed in sawdust to keep it from thawing, and this is the same

Wood carving by Charlie White of Hellam Township. (Submitted)
thing," he said.

He is also waiting for the economy to improve.

"People are scared and are waiting for the economy to get better, but things will pick up in the spring," Heilman said.

He can work with almost any type of wood but prefers white pine because it holds a good edge, he said.

On occasion, he will paint all or part of a carving; but he prefers to seal them with an oil preservative of the type used on a deck or log cabin, he said.

"You need something to protect against UV and mildew and mold. Sun is one of the biggest problems, so I don't use linseed oil because it won't protect against UV," Heilman said.

The job calls for strict safety measures. He wears protective gear in the form of safety glasses, ear

Wood carving by Charlie White of Hellam Township. (Submitted)
protection, chaps, sturdy shoes or boots and padded gloves to protect against vibration; and it is very important to always be on guard and pay attention.

"I deal mostly with the tip (of the chainsaw), and you have to stay alert for kickback. The chainsaw can move faster than the body, and I've seen some guys seriously injured by kickback," he said.

More information is available at www.bdhcustomchainsawcarving.com or by calling Heilman at 266-5780.

Safety first

CHAINSAW CARVERS take a variety of safety precautions when working at their craft.

They wear specialized equipment including safety glasses, visors or face masks, a safety

Wood carving by Charlie White of Hellam Township. (Submitted)
helmet, sturdy boots with steel toes, chaps for leg protection, hearing protection and padded gloves.

Most use two different sizes of chainsaws, a larger one for major cuts and a smaller one for detail work.

Wood can be green or dry; pine, fir and cedar are among the favorites. Make sure the piece is solid with few or no cracks.

It is important to plan ahead and cut away defects in the wood. If a defect is found as the work progresses, find a way to incorporate it into the finished piece. If done properly, this can add beauty and interest to the completed work.

Always be on the lookout for nails, bullets and similar objects in the wood.

Learn to carve

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED in learning more about the art of chainsaw carving, and if you're willing to travel, classes are available at the Wisconsin School of Chainsaw Carving.

For details, visit chainsawcarvingschool.com.

A little closer to home, Appalachian Arts Studios of Ridgway, Pa., also offers classes in chainsaw carving.

For details, visit www.appalachian-arts.com.

Carving festival

THE NATIONAL ROAD CHAINSAW CARVING FESTIVAL will be held June 18 to 20 in Addison, Somerset County.

This annual event, hosted by the Confluence Lions Club, features chainsaw, chip and chisel carvers from across the United States and other countries.

Admission is free, and the event features an auction of carved items to benefit the Somerset County Blind Center.

For details, visit www.carvingfest.confluencelions.org.