What Is a Tree Burl?
A burl is a bulbous growth usually found on tree trunks and sometimes on branches.
Burls form as the result of stress that its tree has undergone.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
What Is Burl Wood?
The shape is irregular but generally rounded.
Doing so would leave an open wound that would invite disease into the tree.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
You should either learn to love the burl as an oddity of nature orhave the whole tree taken down.
How Do Tree Burls Grow?
But the likely explanation is as follows:
Stress is the origin of burls.
A tree burl just beginning to formThe Spruce / Meg MacDonald
These misshapen bumps are the result of their host trees fighting stress, which triggers a defense mechanism.
Examples of stress-causing conditions range from insect orfungal infestationsto the sapping of a tree’s strength by parasiticalmistletoe.
In response to the stress, tissue from unopened foliar buds begins to build up.
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
As long as the bark covers the exterior of the burl, the tissue is protected from any harm.
If there are multiple trees on your property with burls on them, practice first on a smaller tree.
Warning
In fact, you may want to leave felling larger trees to professionals.
Aksakalko/Getty Images
Thehazards involved in using chainsawsare numerous and the danger rises exponentially the larger the tree to be felled is.
Apply end grain sealer (sold at woodworking supply stores) to the ends to help with the preservation.
Aksakalko/Getty Images
Why Is Burl Wood So Popular?
Just like human fingerprints, no two burls are alike.
Burl wood adds stunning beauty and visual interest to a room.
All of these factors drive up the cost.
On the high end, walnut burl wood costs from $390-$6,953.
Burls can grow on many types of trees but are more commonly found on some than others.
These include: ash (Fraxinus spp.
),cherry (Prunus spp.
), elm (Ulmus spp.
), maple (Acer spp.
), oak (Quercus spp.
), and walnut (Juglans spp.
).
