Tree Burl Wood

Burls yield a very peculiar and highly figured wood sought after in woodworking, and some items may reach high prices on the wood market. Poaching of burl specimens and damaging the trees in the process poses a problem in some areas. Learn what tree burls are and how they happen to create the swirling, multi.

What Is Burl Wood? What is burl wood? It's a bit strange, but essentially, burled wood is a particular grain of wood that can be found on a number of different tree species. This means that burl wood isn't a different species of wood entirely, but rather an offshoot of existing tree species that have developed over time. Confusing? We think.

A burl represents a tree's defense mechanism, forming a protective callus over a wound or area of stress. The dense, contorted wood within a burl helps to compartmentalize injuries and prevent the spread of decay or pests. While burls are abnormal growths, they do not compromise the tree's structural integrity.

The burl of a tree can be bumpy with a cauliflower texture, or it can appear in a donut shape, circling the base of a branch. The interior burl wood forms swirls that are particularly lovely. Limb Burl - Found on the branches or limbs of a tree, limb burls tend to be smaller yet still exhibit beautiful and complex grain patterns.

Birdseye Burl - Characterized by small, circular eyes scattered throughout the wood, birdseye burls are particularly sought after by wood artists. Burl wood is harvested from portions of a tree that are distressed, often by injury or disease. The resulting timber has a knotty appearance that's much more textured than traditional wood.

It can be harvested from oak, cherry, and maple trees, among others. What makes burl wood so appealing is its irregularity. Burl wood prices vary significantly based on factors such as tree species, size, quality, and the intricacy of the burl pattern.

Rare and highly figured burls, such as those from redwood and walnut, can command premium prices. Tree burls are tumor-like growths in trees that produce dense, beautifully figured wood. They are highly prized and valuable for making one.

Burls-those odd, bulbous growths on trees that result from an injury or disease.