what's a burl

[hughbie]

ok, time for me to ask a beginner's question. where does a 'burl' come from. is it the area where all the roots come together? is it a 'tumor'.......i don't know.
please kind people.....enlighten this newbie

 

[wdcav1952]

Hugh,

Here is a decent link to answer some of your questions: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-burl-wood.htm

 

[LandfillLumber]

This is a really hard ? to answer, as science is not know all the reasons why. It is a mass of new buds that never really do anything, but pile up on top of each other to make amoazing grain patterns. Its cuased by many thing, from everything I've read the just can't really pin point it. Adventous buds can lie dormant for many years before being called upon in time of need(some type of big stress on the tree, lost large limb in storm for example) I think this is why we see trees that send out adventous buds are the ones making all the burls. As pine, and such hardly ever make burls ( oaks are middle of the road so they will sometimes make burls, maples one of the easiest to send out adventous buds is the tree that make the most burls) not sure what the link is but there must be one. Not sure if I have helped or made it more confusing for you, They are the pearl of the woods, Victor

 

[gketell]

What a burl looks like: http://www.glanbrookconservation.on.ca/images/M4-01%20burl.jpg

 

[its_virgil]

I took this picture in July on a street in Paris (France, not Texas). Sure wish I'd had a chainsaw, but they took it from me at the airport...now what could I've done with a chainsaw on a plane?
Do a good turn daily!
Don

Originally posted by hughbieok, time for me to ask a beginner's question. where does a 'burl' come from. is it the area where all the roots come together? is it a 'tumor'.......i don't know.
please kind people.....enlighten this newbie

 

[guts]

Not really how they happen but here's a pic of one I took in a rest area near forrest city Arkansas.

 

[les-smith]

DocStram posted a picture of this burl,

<br />

 

[mick]

[]Burls are something you should send me!! []

 

[angboy]

All you need to know is that burl = great looking pen. No need to ask any more questions beyond that. []

 

[hughbie]

i've seen many a burl on pens and such....and they are beautiful. i don't have any yet in my small collection but looking forward to sinkin my 'teeth' into some someday

thanks guys/gals. ya'll are great!

 

[ken69912001]

This is a maple burl that i got this year.

 

[Rifleman1776]

They are God's gift to pen turners. []

 

[IPD_Mrs]

Here is one for you....

Most of the burl photos you can find that are still part of the tree are basically roundish and somewhat smooth. When I see amboyna turning stock the top edge looks like stalagtites (sp?) for a lack of better description. Why? Do these grow underground or differently?

 

[its_virgil]

Those sharp points, or stalagtites as you call them, are under the bark. Remove the bark and those sharp (ouch) points are revealed....at least on most of the ones I've seen or had.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

Originally posted by MLKWoodWorking
<br />Here is one for you....

Most of the burl photos you can find that are still part of the tree are basically roundish and somewhat smooth. When I see amboyna turning stock the top edge looks like stalagtites (sp?) for a lack of better description. Why? Do these grow underground or differently?

 

[les-smith]

Originally posted by its_virgil
<br />Those sharp points, or stalagtites as you call them, are under the bark. Remove the bark and those sharp (ouch) points are revealed....at least on most of the ones I've seen or had.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

Wow! I didn't know that. I've always bought them as blanks. Still have lots to learn.