Utah is home to some great — and very unique — masterpieces. Located along I-80 West toward Wendover is one of these unusual creations. Metaphor: The Tree of Utah is easily the most unique tree sculpture in the country and is hard to miss on this stretch of road. While you may have driven past it before, do you know much about it? Do you know the story behind this massive tree sculpture in Utah?
Many Utahns will agree that the drive toward Wendover is long and admittedly a bit boring. There isn’t much to see as you travel through desert and salt flats.
Ken Lund/Flickr
However, as you continue on this stretch of road, you’ll happen upon a massive tree sculpture. This sculpture stands out with its colors and size, almost like a desert mirage in the middle of the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Metaphor: The Tree of Utah, also known as the Tree of Life, is an 87-foot tall sculpture. It was created by Swedish artist Karl Momen between 1982 and 1986. Momen financed this large masterpiece all on his own.
Ken Lund/Flickr
This giant sculpture looks like a large tree with spheres at the end of the branches. It was made using 225 tons of cement, 2,000 ceramic tiles, and 5 tons of welding rods. It is also covered in minerals and rocks that are found in Utah. These rocks add color to the sculpture and even help it glisten in the sun.
Robert Sanders/Google
Momen chose the name and location of this sculpture very carefully. This sculpture is located in a rough and barren environment. The name “Tree of Life” is full of hope for such a harsh area.
Scott Taylor/Google
If you stop and take a closer look at this massive tree sculpture in Utah, you’ll find the words of Friedrich Schiller’s “Ode to Joy” inscribed on the tree trunk. It’s definitely worth a stop to check out at least once.
Jason Kilgore/Google
After the massive sculpture was completed, Momen donated it to the state of Utah and moved back to Sweden. He never explained what the artwork means.
Frank/Flickr
You can find Metaphor: Tree of Utah sculpture on the north side of I-80, approximately 95 miles from Salt Lake City and 25 miles from Wendover.
Google Maps
Do you have any guesses? What do you think Metaphor: Tree of Utah means? Let us know in the comments!
Ken Lund/Flickr
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Robert Sanders/Google
Scott Taylor/Google
Jason Kilgore/Google
Frank/Flickr
Google Maps
If you want to check out even more incredible landmarks around Utah, take this road trip to some of the best iconic landmarks in Utah.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Tree of Utah, Wendover, UT 84083, USA
