Although the term "Schtockschnitzler" translates to English as "cane carver," Simmons masterpieces are bird trees. The "tree" on which the bird rests is an actual sassafrass sappling hewn from the roots of dogwood trees. The canes he carved usually have birds as handles, some painted, and some with whistles in their tails.

This bird tree is recorded in the Winterthur library: Decorative Arts Photographic Collection, accesion number 67.745 and Machmaer, figures 1-4.