Ed turns hurricane debris into art

CONSERVATION

Storms supply tiki material

Ed's Heads can transform damaged trees

By Debbie Shannon — For FLORIDA TODAY

If your favorite sable or cabbage palm tree was damaged or came crashing down during hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan or Jeanne, don't fret. There is an excellent chance that Ed Volonnino, owner of Ed's Heads Tikis, can transform the damaged tree into a unique piece of art.

Your tree may even wind up as a piece of fine art on display at an art show, where Volonnino usually sells his tikis.

"I'm always looking for trees and now my Web site has been bombarded with people wanting to give me their cabbage and sable palms," said the 46-year-old Melbourne resident.

Volonnino, who always carries a chain saw in his truck, will remove the tree and not charge the homeowner.

He says his business is booming because tikis, which were a popular decorating theme in the 1950s and '60s, are having a resurgence.

See TIKI, 2G.

Art from nature. Tiki artist Ed Volonnino, owner of Ed's Heads Tikis, is collecting damaged palm trees to carve into ornate tikis.

Debbie Shannon, for FLORIDA TODAY