Burlwood is a beautiful type of wood used in a variety of woodworking projects, giving every project a unique appearance. The grain pattern of burlwood will depend on the tree it is harvested from, but it doesn’t have much else in common with timber besides the fact that they are both wood.
How does a burl develop, and can it be removed without cutting down the tree? Burls are formed when a tree suffers damage, be it a lightning strike, insect, fungus, or a virus that triggers large, knobby growths with intense grain patterns. The stress on the tree to rapidly regrow wood also puts pressure on the grain, contributing to the unique aspects of the grain pattern and color.
A burl is a knobby growth found on the base or trunk of a tree, but it cannot be removed from the tree without damaging it even further. Thus, most burlwood is not harvested until the tree is cut down or falls in the woods. Once the tree is harvested, the burls can be cut off the trees. Then, the burls are processed, removing any rough, splintering wood, and are pressure-washed to eliminate debris. The burls are then cut into slabs with the same thickness throughout, making them ready to be dried and stabilized. That process ensures they are ready to be finished and crafted but will not crack or warp when acclimated to their final destination.
There are a variety of burlwood since any tree can suffer disease or damage, which results in a burl occurring as part of the repair process. Redwood burlwood is even more precious since redwood trees are rarely harvested. Today, protected redwood forests provide environmental benefits for those animals living within these great trees while ensuring these giants are still around for future generations.
So why do so many woodworkers consider burlwood valuable for creating art, bowls, and more? Because burls are not formed the same, no two slabs have exactly the same characteristics. Old-growth pieces of burlwood have distinct coloration, burly grain, and potentially mineral staining or voids. Mineral staining occurs when the burl or the whole tree is submerged in water for a significant period. Burlwood also has a characteristic dark grain, which makes the light areas pop even more.
