What part of a tree is a burl?

What part of a tree is a burl?

A burl is a tree growth in which the grain has grown in a de- formed manner. It commonly occurs on a tree trunk or branch as a rounded outgrowth filled with small knots.

Is a burl worth money?

Most burls, especially layered burls, are not particularly valuable. On the other hand, a larger eyed burl in good condition should bring $25 to $200 depending on size, species and condition. I have had burls up to 8 feet in diameter, and many in the 4-5 foot range. Those can be worth $500 or more.

Why is burl so expensive?

The surprising story behind the beautiful, rare wood. Because the grain is twisted and interlocked, burl wood is extremely dense and resistant to splitting. Burls have become so valuable that poachers have even been known to cut them from the side of trees in national parks, such as the ancient redwoods in California.

Where does burl wood come from?

Burl wood results from harvesting a tree or a portion of a tree that has a burl. 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, virus, or insects creates intense grain patterns.

Can you cut a burl without killing tree?

No you don’t. Removing burls reduces stem strength and leads to stem decay, every time. You know that without seeing the tree.

What is the most expensive burl wood?

Amboyna Burl case
Burls Just Wanna Have Fun If you sort a wood iPhone case collection by price, you’ll notice that the most expensive KerfCase money can buy is the Amboyna Burl case. At a wallet-walloping $409 starting price, it handily beats out other interesting wood types on price, such as our spalted maple and figured walnut cases.

What causes a tree burl?

In burl formation, the tree’s growth hormones get disrupted when the metabolism of the tree is hijacked by some other organism – a virus, fungus, or bacterium. The crown gall bacterium is responsible for many burls (although many are too small for woodturning).

Can I cut a burl off a tree?

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.

What causes burls to form?

What is the most sought after burl wood?

Bird’s-eye burl is a rare but beautiful burl pattern featuring small, tightly packed burls that show as dark “eyes” on the cut surface of the wood. Bird’s-eye burl is rarely found in Redwood, but when it is it is highly sought-after. It is often found, like lacy burl, in the crown burls and live burls of a tree.

Is burl wood rare?

Burl wood is unique and rare. Wood experts consider it to be extremely valuable. The value of the wood is measured on the size and type of tree it is coming from.

What can you do with a burl?

Luthiers often use burl tops for guitar bodies or headstocks, and turners love burl pieces to make smaller items like pen blanks. If you’ve got a project that needs a touch of class, burl is a great way to really make it pop!