About

Echoes of the Forest is a 501(c)(3) organization that takes salvaged Hurricane Helene trees and repurposes them into art by woodworkers and local artists to educate the public about this significant, geological, 1000-year event about forestry and our area. Proceeds will benefit woodworkers and artists, and a community that suffered.

Helene in Numbers

In late September 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, causing extensive tree damage across multiple counties.

Extent
of
Damage

40%

Approximately 40% of trees in Buncombe County were damaged or destroyed by Helene, not including Asheville's tree cover.

39 western North Carolina counties were affected

78%

78% of the damage occurred on private lands.

Approximate Impact on
National Forests

821, 906

821,906 acres of forestland damaged.

Economic impact on western
North Carolina

$59.6 B

Estimated at

$59.6 billion.

Find the Echoes

Explore the locations of Echoes of the Forest installations across Western North Carolina — handcrafted public art created from Hurricane Helene–salvaged timber by Appalachian artisans.

Current Installations:

River Arts District

Benches by Chester Shuey / Appalachian Joinery

NC Arboretum

A bench by Chester Shuey / Appalachian Joinery
"Tea for Two" bench by Mark Oliver
"Shelly the Box Turtle" by Mike Ayers / Whetstone Woodworks
Winter Lights installations "Water in Motion" and "Enchanted Forest" by Mike Ayers / Whetstone Woodworks

Biltmore Forest Town Hall

Fireplace mantel by Kwadwo Som-Pimpong / Crafted Glory

Cane Creek Park, Fletcher, NC

"Soccer Cub" by Mike Ayers / Whetstone Woodworks

Burial Beer Co. Forestry Camp

Six handcrafted white oak aging barrels by Appalachian Cooperage / Taylor Stave, from Helene-felled timber sourced by Matt Christie / Green River Woods