Many bottle trees you’ll see – assuming you see bottle trees at all – are stiff. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but Southern folklore metal artist, Stephanie Dwyer, sets hers apart by making them sinuous and twisty, like real trees.
Her iconic bottle tree, part of a series inspired by Hurricane Katrina, channels lone trees all over the world, carved into art forms by the wind on some exposed ridge. It seems to grow out of the turf at the Sack Up Inn, and to nod with respect and resilience to its shadow.
A close up shows elements of Stephanie’s signature style: the tree trunk is made from four rods twisted together; the branches give thick, wavy coverage, holding plenty of bottles aloft in an exuberant pattern; there is a symbolic smattering of metal leaves.
As I’ve been prompted to share these shots for the weekly photo challenge twisted, my final shot shows a good & proper tangle from which green bottles emerge, looking as radiant as the leaves in bright sunlight. I like the way the metal tendril seems to reach up to the natural ones reaching down.
If you enjoyed these, please check out Stephanie Dwyer’s website.
Susan Rushton 
I love bottle trees! Being from the South, I’ve seen many of them.
I didn’t see any in England, growing up, but I’ve made up for it since!
I like how these bottle trees have such a different feel from each other. I find the repetition and movement in the lapis lazuli blue bottles as they seem to dance overhead exquisite.
Another glass artist we met described it as ‘holding glass up to the light so its colours can sing’.
That’s a lovely way of describing it!
Aren’t there enough real trees there?
Seems not!
I would prefer real trees, although they want more water.
Pretty cool…though I like real trees too…a lot. These are art and I appreciate that.
Once you start to look out for them, it’s easy to tell Stephanie’s from the others. She has a particular style, which is the mark of an artist.
These bottle trees are fantastic thank you for bringing them to our attention. Really talented artist.