Muhammad Ali Tree Sculpture!

Float like a butterfly, sting like a ... tree?

Check out this tree carving New Jersey artist James O'Neal made of Muhammad Ali ... a piece that took roughly 6 months from start to finish.

O'Neal says he was inspired by the outpouring of love for the boxing icon after he passed away -- and felt the walnut tree he recently cut down was the perfect canvas.

It's not the first fighter O'Neal has carved -- he also sculpted a Conor McGregor piece.

So, who's next? O'Neal says he wants to do a female fighter ... but not Ronda Rousey. He's all about Cyborg.