Burl Wood

Burl Wood comes in many forms, and a variety of species. Most of our slabs are Reclaimed Old Growth Redwood Slabs, but on occasion we come across something a little different. Soon, we will expanding into other Markets as well. We already have Claro Walnut and Big Leaf Maple Slabs drying, and they should be ready in the upcoming months, but we are ready to show you a bit of what we do have coming soon.

 

Burl is a characteristic that happens in many types of wood. Woodworkers use burl wood to create items such as clocks, Live edged tables, and all types of burl wood furniture. It is highly sought after by Artist because of its unique grain structure and patterns. This wood is a type of fast growing, abnormal growth found on some trees. It grows because the tree has experienced some sort of environmental stress or damage, and it is often caused by either a fungal attack or an attack by insects.

 

Most think burl is the product of only the stump of the tree, but it can also been found throughout the whole tree.Often, a tree that has developed burl wood is still quite healthy. In fact, many of these trees can go on to live their normal life expectancy. On occasion, burl wood can cause additional stress and could shorten its life cycle

 

When used in wood crafting, burl wood is removed from the tree, preferably after the tree has already died in order to avoid killing it. It is then cut open in order to review the pattern inside. Sometimes, a single offshoot can produce several different pieces for an artist to work with.

 

Here is a small sample of various type of Burl Woods that we have in store for you:

Redwood Burl Tree Slabs - These are cut from a Big Burly Log. What makes this slab special? It has Burl running the whole length, and width of it. Not a very common find in a tree trunk of this size. This is a perfect example of the wood that they did not want in the mills, as it was not Lumber Quality. Boards made from this would not take stress very well because of the irregular grain. But they will make a fine Dinning or Conference Table, if you got enough room.

Redwood Burl Desk Slabs - This type of Burl Wood Slab is usually cut from tree stumps. This type of wood is found in the stumps of Redwood Trees cut decades ago. After a century or so they tend to degrade a bit, and the wood is no longer very solid. Nut, if you get them at just the right time, you get a perfect specimen such as this Burl Wood Slab. These are considered Desk Top Slabs just because the Organic Shape is suited for that type of project.

Extra Large Redwood Burl Slab - It's just that too. Really big Burl Wood Slabs regularly have Burl through 100% of a slab. That is not to say they don't exist. They are just Rare. This one appears to be about 70% Burl, and 30% Curl. Curl is a very desirable quality that can also sometimes be found in Redwood.It gives off the linear Tiger/Zebra Stripe character you see on the left side of this Burl Wood Slab. Curl is a Compression type grain that usually only appears in a tree that grew on a hill believe it or not. As the tree straightens itself out to grow straight up, it compresses the grain on the inside edge of the tree.

Maple Burl Root Slabs - Maple Burls tend to be lighter whitish, more yellow type of wood. Maple is a Hard Wood. Therefore it will be susceptible to twisting a bit while drying if not cared for properly. We seem to have very good luck with it here though. Root Slabs, and Caps as they are called. Tend have lots of little pointy knobby growths all over them. It is this knobby growth that causes the wood to grow in strange burly patterns inside.

Maple Burl Tree Slabs - Here's an example of a maple tree slab with a good amount of burl. Burl in Maple Logs can be seen as sporadic Birds eye or streaks as seen here penetrating all the way to the pith. More common in maple in logs are cluster burls. That is burl that grows in clusters like a wart or a tumor. In this case the burl wood is only in the protrusions, and not in the tree itself.

Walnut Burl Tree Slabs - Claro Walnut (Juglans Hindsii), is native to Califorina and parts of southern Oregon.  It is closeley related to American Black Walnut and shares many of the same characteristics.  It is, however, considered by some, to be the most beautiful of all the walnuts.  With Claro, you get the most color and figure for the money. Typically it is easy to work provided the grain is straight and regular. Glues, stains, and finishes well.

Walnut Burl Root Slabs - Claro Walnut grows only in California and parts of Southern Oregon. It can have some of the most spectacular figure of any member of the walnut family. The trees grow rapidly in this favorable climate and it is not unusual to find a four foot diameter tree that is not even a hundred years old. Claro Walnut is difficult to dry due to its water pockets but this doesn’t usually affect slab top tables. With its tendency for rapid growth Claro walnut can have growth rings in excess of an inch.