World-renowned Danish artist, Thomas Dambo, is the creative genius behind 170+ trolls made from recycled material. They can be found throughout the world. He plans to have at least one troll in all fifty states. We have seen several on or trips to National Parks and will document our finds here.
On June 22, 2026 we went to Clinton Iowa. It is home to 3 of the Dambo Trolls, known as the Tree Thieves.
Clinton was once one of the great lumber towns of America. Between 1870 and 1940 its sawmills roared day and night, and the forest where the three brothers slept was cut to the ground and floated down the river. The trolls woke to find their home gone — so they came back to take the trees back.
The Tree Thieves were built from local, reclaimed wood together with the community, in collaboration with The Sawmill Museum and Bickelhaupt Arboretum.
Helmut can be found near the Sawmill Museum in Clinton Iowa.
Marvin is taking a nap at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum in Clinton Iowa
Warren is hiding in the Old Train Depot in Clinton Iowa.