A burl is made up of a tree’s bud tissue that has not sprouted into foliage or grown into a twig. It has a woody or barked surface. As a burl grows, it incorporates the tree’s undeveloped buds that surround it and folds them into its expanding form.
How valuable is a burl?
What happens if you cut a burl off a tree?
You should never cut burl wood from a living tree. Excising a bit of its trunk can kill the entire plant. No matter how beautiful a burl you have found, you need to skip it if the tree’s still alive. Otherwise, you will end up with a dead tree and the burl wood might not be as beautiful or ready to be worked with.
What causes a burl on a tree trunk?
A burl results from a tree undergoing some form of stress. It may be caused by an injury, virus or fungus. Most burls grow beneath the ground, attached to the roots as a type of malignancy that is generally not discovered until the tree dies or falls over.
Are tree burls rare?
Every piece of burl wood is unique, and this is one reason they are considered rare and valuable. They come in a variety of sizes and have different grains and color of wood. In fact, it would be near impossible to find two pieces exactly alike.
What causes a burl on a tree trunk?
A burl results from a tree undergoing some form of stress. It may be caused by an injury, virus or fungus. Most burls grow beneath the ground, attached to the roots as a type of malignancy that is generally not discovered until the tree dies or falls over.
What can you do with a tree burl?
WHAT ARE BURLS USED FOR? Because the pattern or grain of burl wood is so irregular and uneven and so different from straight lumber graining, burl is not used for structures or where bearing weight is required. Burl is typically made into veneer panels, inserts, and for furniture slabs and instrument making.
What is the rarest burl wood?
Sandalwood Burl is one of the rarest burls in the world. It is a true sandalwood, and is used in making sandalwood essential oil and sandalwood incense. This unusual kind of sandalwood is a native of Nepal, and these pieces were harvested from a sandalwood plantation in Tanzania.
How can you tell if wood is burl?
Observe any rounded growths projecting from or surrounding the trunk that have no protruding limbs or twigs. Look for growths that are darker in color than the rest of the bark. These qualities indicate burls.
How do you remove a burl?
Removing a small burl from a tree is straightforward: simply cut a little below where the burl is attached. Larger burls are not so easy. It is my feeling that harvesting burls is somewhat like cutting diamonds: there is a knack to it.
Why are burls worth money?
Burlwood is sought after by wood connoisseurs for its potent colors, swirls, and textures. It is rare to find and impossible to propagate. I often quip that if anyone finds a burl they should immediately deliver it to my studio and allow me to do a thorough examination with my woodturning instruments.
What’s the difference between a burl and a gall?
Tumor growth in plants is commonly known as gall or burl. Galls contain knots, callus, ingrown bark and stains, whereas, burls are bark-covered and display wildly contorted grain. These tumors can occur on twigs, branches, trunks, roots, or leaves (like seen above) and might be numerous per host.
Where can I find tree burls?
In some tree species, like redwoods, burls tend to appear near the base of the trunk. These burls are actually part of the redwood’s reproductive process. With any tree species, also check areas of obvious damage, such as a broken-off limb.
How do you care for wood burls?
It is very easy for dust to accumulate and destroy furniture and sheet surfaces over time. It is advisable to use a soft cloth, preferably lightly damp, and dust wood veneer surfaces regularly to avoid dust accumulation. For spills, the surfaces must be immediately cleaned with a damp cloth to avoid stains.
What does a burl look like on a tree?
They look like spherical bulges that are covered in bark. These unusual growths are known as burls. In some areas, they may be called burrs. They develop as irregular, wart-like outgrowths.
What is the most expensive burl?
Amboyna Burl, Pterocarpus indicus, is the World’s rarest and most expensive burl, possessing incredible colors and patterns. It was used for the first Rolls Royce’s dashboards.
Why is burl so expensive?
Burl wood is generally more expensive than other types of wood because of its beauty and scarcity. Since burl wood only grows when trees form exterior burls, they are harder to find when compared to other types of wood. Is burl wood rare?
Why are burls worth money?
Burlwood is sought after by wood connoisseurs for its potent colors, swirls, and textures. It is rare to find and impossible to propagate. I often quip that if anyone finds a burl they should immediately deliver it to my studio and allow me to do a thorough examination with my woodturning instruments.
Are burl walnuts expensive?
Solid hardwood furniture made from burled walnut is exceptionally expensive, but it is also very durable and long-lasting. Some furniture makers will create a piece out of a less expensive wood and use walnut veneer to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the piece without raising the cost too much.
What causes a burl on a tree trunk?
A burl results from a tree undergoing some form of stress. It may be caused by an injury, virus or fungus. Most burls grow beneath the ground, attached to the roots as a type of malignancy that is generally not discovered until the tree dies or falls over.
What does burlwood look like?
A burl is a growth on a tree formed from unsprouted bud tissue. The burl forms large, knobby-looking growths on the base and trunk of the tree. Stress caused by injury, fungus, a virus, or insects creates intense grain patterns. In addition, rapid growth in burls causes further stress and pressure on the wood.
Are burl walnuts expensive?
Solid hardwood furniture made from burled walnut is exceptionally expensive, but it is also very durable and long-lasting. Some furniture makers will create a piece out of a less expensive wood and use walnut veneer to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the piece without raising the cost too much.
