Mixed-media sculpture from the Arboreal Goth Cone Collection. Piece is created from vintage logging tool, Pinus sabiniana (foothill pine) cone, natural wax, and plastic safety caps. Size is approximately 5 x 5 x 12 inches.

Pinus sabiniana ‘Barbus,’ commonly known as the “barb pine” or “sloth hooker,” is considered to be an arboreal anachronism. The umbos of the cone evolved along with the giant ground sloths, including Megalonyx, who were widespread in North America up to the Wisconsin Ice Age. The barbed pinecone adapted to attach to the sloth’s wooly coat in order to spread its seeds over a long-range as the sloth would walk great distances in search of food. As land sloths slowly went extinct, early humans learned to cultivate the barbed pine specimen for its unique velcro-like characteristic and use as a practical joke during tedious hunting trips.