Columbia’s Jemes Davis Merges Arboriculture and Art in Celebration of Trees

Columbia Welcomes the Artistic Touch of Jemes Davis: A Tree Lover’s Journey

When you take a stroll through the beautiful city of Columbia, you might come across a charming home surrounded by the whispering trees of nature. This is the home of Jemes Davis, a passionate arborist and woodworker who truly embodies a love for all things trees. With woods encircling his property on all sides, it’s easy to see why trees are central to his life and work.

From Chainsaws to Sculptures

Even though he spends most of his days cutting down trees, Davis has a deep appreciation for these natural giants. His backyard features a colossal walnut trunk, a testament to his craft. “Trees are living sculptures. Most of what I’ve learned about dendrology has come from dissection for the purpose of craft,” explains Davis with a gleam in his eye.

This artistic journey took root many years ago in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he first discovered his passion for wood carving. “We visited the Gilcrease Museum at least once a year, and I was fascinated by the wood carvings of a Native American artist,” he recalls. Though his family could not afford lavish art supplies, young Jemes made do with whatever materials he could find, leading him to his lifelong love of crafting.

A Unique Path to Arboriculture

Jumping forward a few years, Davis was determined to learn the art of tree climbing after a friend invited him to help cut trees at his home in Tampa. Although that first experience was terrifying, Davis was hooked. “I knew I had to become an arborist,” he says. This sparked a journey that led him to work with Sox and Freeman Tree Expert Company for more than 23 years.

“Tree work can be so many different things. Every tree, location, customer is different, so there is always room for improved craftsmanship,” he explains. Whether it is helping remove a risky tree or converting wood into art, he prides himself on his role in enhancing the community’s understanding and appreciation for trees.

Carving a Niche from Nature

For Jemes, creativity doesn’t stop with tree care. He spends his leisure time working on sculptures, breathing new life into discarded pieces of wood. His talent is evident in the intricate designs he creates, which can even be seen at local galleries, such as HoFP Gallery in Columbia. The transformation from a fallen limb to a stunning piece of art showcases the beauty that can emerge from nature’s leftovers.

A Life Filled with Adventure

Davis’s journey hasn’t always been tree-focused. With a knack for cooking, he enrolled in culinary school in New York City, which allowed him to travel and meet inspiring figures like Julia Child. “I liked New York but not cooking,” he chuckles, reflecting on those times. Eventually, he felt the urge to return to Oklahoma, where he picked up odd jobs, including painting houses.

Still, that wasn’t enough to satisfy his soul. A fortuitous ad for cooks in the Bahamas led him to a weeklong adventure where he enjoyed scuba diving and free diving. Freedom in nature calls to Davis, and it brought him back home to his true passion—trees.

Jemes Davis: A Local Treasure

Today, Davis is not just aware of the beauty around him; he actively reshapes his environment. “Trees are a valuable resource and add value to our lives just by being there,” he shares. He expresses joy in watching his artistic visions come to life while helping local residents nurture and respect their green spaces.

If you find yourself wandering in Columbia, keep an eye out for Jemes Davis’s work and perhaps take a moment to appreciate the trees that shape our world. Jemes continues to spread his love for trees through art, ensuring they remain an important part of our lives and landscapes for generations to come.