The 12-Foot Gnome
Planting Saplings
A one-man stunt with a chainsaw, a mission, and a massive log. Three days, one giant gnome, and a chance to change lives through forestry education.
The Clock Is Ticking
Countdown to the Record Attempt
One carver. One log.
One big swing for the forest.
This isn't a publicity stunt. It's a purpose-driven public carve with everything I've learned in four years behind a saw — focused on one goal: raising real money for kids, trades, and the working forest.
Over three days at the 2026 SICC Forest Festival, I'll transform a towering single log into a 12-foot tall Gnome Planting Saplings — a giant symbol of stewardship, regeneration, and kindness to the next generation.
Every dollar raised covers setup costs, equipment, and the massive log itself. Every dollar beyond that becomes a giant check presented to Trajectory NW on Sunday, June 7th at the closing awards.
The Record
A Guinness-documented solo chainsaw carve over three days under official adjudication rules.
The Piece
12′ Gnome Planting Saplings — a single-log sculpture stained (never painted) in warm PNW tones.
The Audience
Thousands of families, students, and industry partners at the SICC Forest Festival.
The Impact
Proceeds fund Trajectory NW scholarships, classroom demos, and youth careers in the forest trades.
Concept Art & Carving Guide
Every proportion planned before the first cut. 12′ of cedar, stained and finished for the wet PNW climate.
Carving Guide — Full 360° reference with dimensions, top view, and side profile. 12′ total height (10′ carved, 2′ base). Approx. 36″ diameter log.
Support the Record
Every contribution underwrites the log, the fuel, the equipment, the rigging, and the documentation. Anything left over becomes a big check to Trajectory NW at the closing ceremony on Sunday, June 7th.
- Covers setup, equipment, and the massive log itself
- Every dollar beyond costs → Trajectory NW
- Presented live at SICC Forest Festival on 6/7
- Auction of the finished gnome follows for 30 days
30-Day Online Auction
Once the record attempt concludes, the finished 12-foot gnome opens to a 30-day online auction. The highest bidder takes home a monumental, fully-documented piece of carving history — and 100% of the hammer price is donated to Trajectory NW on behalf of Stumptown Carving.
Opens June 8
Auction goes live the day after SICC closes. Bidders register, the gnome takes the spotlight.
Runs 30 Days
A full month of visibility for the piece and the cause — closes on July 8, 2026.
100% to Trajectory
Final sale price goes directly to scholarships, demonstrations, and youth career placement.
Official Guinness Documentation
This attempt is run under Guinness World Records’ published guidelines. Below are the official documents outlining the record stipulations and evidence requirements.
Record Stipulations
Official rules for the Longest Marathon Chainsaw Carving record — includes witness requirements, timing, rest breaks, and adjudication.
Guide to Your Evidence
Guinness’ official guide to documenting the attempt — video, photos, witness statements, and what the adjudication team needs.
Volunteers Needed
Guinness requires independent witnesses present at all times during the attempt. We also need crew to keep saws fueled, chains sharp, and the carver moving. Your name goes on the official record as part of the Carving with Kindness team.
Official Witnesses
Guinness requires a pair of independent witnesses present at all times. Shifts rotate every 4 hours. You observe, time-stamp, and verify the carve is continuous and within the rules.
Multiple shifts availableSaw Crew — Gas & Oil
Keep the saws fueled and topped off so there's always a hot saw ready to hand off. Know your way around a mix can and you're golden.
Experience preferredChain Sharpening
Sharp chains are everything. Run a file or a grinder while I carve so I can grab a fresh chain without losing time. A dull chain is a dangerous chain.
Must know chain filingTrajectory NW
The middle path through the forest.
Trajectory is a 501(c)(3) based in Sandy, Oregon with a clear mission: broker relationships between K–12 education and the professionals who shape our forests — loggers, foresters, arborists, mill operators, conservationists, and timber engineers.
Every dollar raised from this attempt and the auction goes toward scholarships, classroom demonstrations, and career placement for Oregon youth who want to work in and around the forest trades.
I've been carving with this team since their first SICC in 2023. This gnome is my way of saying thank you — with a chainsaw.
At a glance
- Founded
- 2022 — Sandy, Oregon
- Status
- 501(c)(3) public charity
- Flagship Event
- SICC Forest Festival — grew from 650 attendees in 2023 to a projected 4,100+ in 2025.
- Partners
- 100+ including OSU, USFS, BLM, Weyerhaeuser, TimberLab, Oregon Tool.
See it. Share it. Support it.
Come to Sandy June 5–7, forward this page to someone who loves art or the forest, or chip in a few bucks. Every action multiplies.