All about burls
Burl is a very interesting type of wood. No one really knows for sure why burls form. There are theories, but the true origins of burl remain a mystery. The number of trees that produce burls is actually pretty low. Certain areas produce more burl wood than other areas because many of the trees in a particular region tend to be damaged by the same thing – fungus, insects, disease or weather. Certain species are are also more susceptible to harmful attacks, and then are more prone to developing burls.
A tree that has a burl or burls on it can still be healthy. Many burl trees go on to live long lives, while some trees grow burl wood growths that get so big and heavy that the extra stress can cause the tree to die.
Burl growth looks disorganized and chaotic. It has no recognizable grain direction. It is these irregular patterns that make burl wood so beautiful. Burl wood displays an unpredictable arrangement of colors, in swirls and curls, flames and other designs depending on the type of wood.
Burl wood is sought after by artists because of the unique designs in the wood grain and the ring patterns. Woodworking artists use it to create sculptures, as well as furniture, bowls, vases, and other decorative pieces.