What is "Spalted" and "Burl" ?

[sanyalsoumitra]

I just want to understand these wood related terms fully . What is "Spalted" and "Burl" in relation to woods ? Please someone educate me on this.

Best regards
Soumitra

 

[hewunch]

Spalt is a change of color in the wood caused by fungus starting to decay the wood. In light woods, this often appears as dark streaks or"ink lines". Burl is grain that is atypical, that forms around some sort of trauma to the tree. Often this is a disease or injury. But the tree tries to heal itself by encasing the trauma in wood. Often burl will produce curl and birds eye.

And it is possible to have both in the same piece.