A cedar tree wrapped in decades of weathered dolls, one of the village's oddest little curiosities
Tucked along a residential lane in Ocracoke village, a cedar tree strung with dolls, doll parts, and other weathered toys has become one of the island's more unusual sights. There's no sign, no ticket booth, no official history — just a tree that's slowly filled up with cast-off dolls over the years, the kind of oddball local landmark that spreads by word of mouth rather than advertising. Locals seem to keep adding to it, and exactly who started it or why depends on who you ask.
It's not a place to plan a whole visit around — more a five-minute curiosity to fold into a walk through the village's back streets, between stops at Silver Lake Harbor or Springer's Point. Go in with a sense of humor: some visitors find it charming, others find it a little eerie, and either reaction is fair. Since it's an informal, ever-changing display rather than a maintained attraction, treat a visit as a fun detour rather than the main event.
42 reviews
a month ago
As an avid doll collector myself, it’s always great to see another persons collection. No matter how they chose to present it. It was fun trying to pick out different dolls that I knew. There’s not many art mediums that would hold in the heat and humid quite like Barbie and her friends. Thanks for sharing your art with the world
9 months ago
I was on the island as part of my quest to visit all 100 counties in North Carolina, And I was just zooming in on Google maps and saw this listed so I had to drive by. It did not disappoint! I would recommend trying to bike or walk over versus parking in someone's yard or off the side of the road if possible to be respectful. If I'd known about this before, perhaps I could have brought some fishing line and a doll with me to donate.
a year ago
Did not disappoint. There were some additional, unexpected displays also that were particular creepy/unhinged. Absolutely worth the trip.
3 months ago
Awesome statement art piece by the homeowner that most people riding by said was "weird", but I like to interpret it as a screw you to the unreal image that barbies and dolls give to society, girls, and women. Ode to diversity and being different, which is just the most symbiotic way of life.
a year ago
Interesting, creepy, and totally fun. My in-laws got a real kick out of.