A MAN from New Zealand has dedicated four years of his life to carefully training tree branches so he could construct an enchanting church made completely from living trees.

    Using his trademark Tree Spade, Barry Cox, who once aspired to be the Pope, was able to relocate a variety of mature trees to create a unique and structurally complex church on his 1.2-hectare property near Cambridge, located on New Zealand’s north island.

    After spending several years of his youth on the back of a motorcycle, exploring Europe and America, Cox developed a deep appreciation for church architecture.

    Drawing on that passion, the tree specialist decided that he would try his hand at creating a structure with “distinctly different” plants that would highlight the vast proportions of his unorthodox church, echoing a style common in masonry churches.

    Saturated in natural light, the dappled rays shine on a floor of bright green grass which is offset by a noteworthy marble alter that was taken from Cox’s own family church.

    The roof is made from Cut Leaf Alder, chosen for its sparse foliage, which allows an abundance of light to shine into the church, even on the coldest winter’s day.

    The walls are made from an Australian tree that boasts thick and textured greenery called Copper Sheen.

    The space seats around 100 people and is currently supported by a temporary iron frame, which in a few yeas will be replaced by branches from the roof.

    While Cox originally designed the unique space for his own enjoyment, he bowed to pressure from friends and relatives in January, finally opening the magical property’s wrought iron gates to the public.

    As couples line up to say their vows in the one-of-a-kind venue, Cox revealed he spends around eight hours “primping” the grounds before it is ready for an event.

    “It takes me five hours to mow the lawns and at least three hours of final primping to get the gardens and Tree Church to the standard I need to be happy for an event,” he said.(SD-Agencies)