
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, Mr Cox developed a deep appreciation for church architecture, according to Stuff.co.nz.

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.

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Using his trademark Tree Spade, Barry Cox was able to relocate a variety of mature trees to create a unique and structurally complex church on his 1.2 hectare property

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 Mr 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.

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

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 Mr Cox's own family church

A Labyrinth walk is a single circuitous path that winds its way into the center often used during meditation

While Mr Cox orignially 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, Mr 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 told Stuff.co.nz.

While Mr Cox orignially 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, Mr Cox revealed he spends around eight hours 'primping' the grounds before it is ready for an event

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 growing roof

Devoted to giving condemned tree's a second life, much of the greenery that now stands on Mr Cox's property was liberated from surrounding areas.

'People know how much I love trees so they call me when there are trees that would otherwise be cut-down or removed. I go and kind of rescue them.'

Relocating trees that have already been given the chance to mature means that Mr Cox's garden does not look four years old, it appears to have been established decades before.

The expansive grounds, which hosts events twice a week, also features a calming Labyrinth walk and a large canopy constructed from a Military cargo parachute.

Devoted to giving condemned tree's a second life, much of the greenery that now stands on Mr Cox's property was liberated from surrounding areas