The Lake Tree Project

A small Jack Pine started its life in the back-dunes on Lake Michigan, but as the shores eroded it found itself in a fight with all the elements that the lakeshore could throw at it.

A Jack Pine nestled in the back dunes at Hoffmaster State Park

The Nest — Hoffmaster State Park

The rising Lake levels approach the Lake Tree in winter. A new coat of snow and a ray of sunlight set the scene

Hope — Hoffmaster State Park

The Lake Tree holds on to its root mound as the surf erodes the beach. The sun forms a halo in the icy clouds of late winter

Halo — Hoffmaster State Park

A cold morning produces icicles on the exposed roots of the Lake Tree.

Pipeline — Hoffmaster State Park

Reflection of the Lake Tree in the rising surf on a wintry day.

Blessed — Hoffmaster State Park

An icy ledge forms along the shore of Lake Michigan, holding back the relentless wave action. Hoffmaster State Park, winter

Proud — Hoffmaster State Park

A reflection of the Lake Tree in thew sweeping waves of Lake Michigan. Black & White, Hoffmaster State Park

Just a Shadow of Myself — Hoffmaster State Park

A vertical panorams of an icy, bright winter morning. Icew clinging to the roots of the Lake Tree. The tree overhead framed in the bright blue sky.

Popsicle Toes — Hoffmaster State Park

The Lake Tree holds its ground as cold temps help form an ice wall against the waves.

Barrier — Hoffmaster State Park

A fresh coat of snow on the shoreline and some fresh interpretations of the landscape

A Little Joy — Hoffmaster State Park

A long shadow is cast by the Lake Tree as the mid winter sun movers close to the horizon. Black & White

Released — Hoffmaster State Park

An impressionist interpretation of the Lake Tree as it fights to hold it's ground on a windy day.

Monet — Hoffmaster State Park

A trail of cauliflower clouds leads to the Lake Tree. Morning, late winter

Chosen —Hofmaster State Park

A vertical panorama of the Lake tree from its red roots to its branches in the grey, cloudy sky of winter

Life Saving — Hoffmaster State Park

A fresh blanket of snow covers the ground and the limbs of the Lake Tree as you look out to the horizon of Lake Michigan.

Blanket — Hoffmaster State Park

Morning clouds form a crown around the limbs of the Lake Tree. Winter

Telling — Hoffmaster State Park

The ice breaks up around the Lake Tree. The tree loses it's grip in the eroding beach and begins to lean.

Winter Break — Hoffmaster State Park

Ice coats the exposed roots of the Lake Tree..

Insulated — Hoffmaster State Park

Behind the leaning Lake Tree 4 to 5 meter5 ice ridges are battered by the Lake Michigan surf. Large plumes of ice and water shoot vertically like a volcanic eruption.

The Great Wall — Hoffmaster State Park

The base of the trunk of the Lake Tree is encrusted in a shelf of ice while the roots are exposed to the surf. Winter

Veins — Hoffmaster State Park

A beech tree leaf lies on it's edge — held tight by a frozen pond in the foreground of the Lake Tree.

Radient — Hoffmaster State Park

A pounding surf takes its toll on the Lake Tree — now laying on the edge of the shore. Cloudy, windy, early Spring

Holding — Hoffmaster State Park

Looking at the rising morning sun through the branches of the fallen Lake Tree. Icicles on the roots

Spirit Tree — Hoffmaster State Park

A time exposure of the Lake tree shows the clouds moving overhead. The base of the tree locked in ice.

Away — Hoffmaster State Park

The Lake Tree held and protected by a frozen line of ice that has formed because of several cold days with little wave action

Time — Hoffmaster State Park

A late Winter panorama of the sun setting on Lake Michigan — the Lake tree clinging to an ice ledge on shore.

Rest — Hoffmaster State Park

The Lake Tree with its roots exposed to the waves and its branches locked in slush along the water's edge. Evening, sunset

Fire and Ice — Hoffmaster State Park

A panorama of the shoreline at Hoffmaster State Park in the evening. The Lake tree at the water's edge with ice ridges around it. The moon is rising over the low dune bluffs

Winter Moon — Hoffmaster State Park

A time exposure of the surf surrounding the Lake Tree which is mostlt submerged in the waters of Lake Michigan. Evening

Mourning Rush — Hoffmaster State Park

The Trubk of the Lake Tree is covered in sand by the changing power of the waves and wind of Lake Michigan. Wispy clouds overhead. Morning

Only One — Hoffmaster State Park

A bright sunny day on Lake Michigan shoreline as the lake Tree has collapsed and most of the roots are exposed. early evening

Rest — Hoffmaster State Park

A bright sunny day on Lake Michigan shoreline as the lake Tree has collapsed and most of the roots are exposed. early evening

Late Day — Hoffmaster State Park

The waters of Lake Michigan reflect the sunset. Water surrounds the fallen Lake Tree.

Tree on Fire — Hoffmaster State Park

A time exposure of wild surf on Lake Michigan as wave crash all around The Lake Tree. Cloudy morning

Veil — Hoffmaster State Park

A wild day on the shore. grey, big waves, The Lake tree is laid bare by the elements. Little holding it in place

Bloodline — Hoffmaster State Park

The Lake Tree is stripped of it's branches by beach goers so that they can use these pieces of the tree in their own shelters

The Giving Tree — Hoffmaster State Park

The pine tree that has survived many storms — fire and ice — still rolls in the surf at Hoffmaster State Park. The Autumn sun has set

The Lake Tree Remains — Hoffmaster State Park

A light breeze creates cat paws on the water and and small breakers on the beach. Absent — The Lake Tree

Epitaph — Hoffmaster State Park

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