birch burl or not???

[IntrepidStu]

I have seen some great stuff in the past that has been carved from "burl". Now, Im not exactly sure what this elusive "burl" is and how to carve it.

So below are some piccy's that is like someone to tell me if this is a burl or not. If it is, then how do you get all those fabulous colours in the wood. You can see were I have token a chunk out of the wood and it just looks normal underneath. HELP????

Cheers
Stu.

 

[robin wood]

Yep that one is not what you would really cal burr. That is probably a response to bark damage and the wood is clearly just twisted and does not have all the tiny undeveloped budds which are the characteristic of a true burr.

 

[IntrepidStu]

Yep that one is not what you would really cal burr. That is probably a response to bark damage and the wood is clearly just twisted and does not have all the tiny undeveloped budds which are the characteristic of a true burr.

I was hoping you would answer Robin. Can you give me any more info on a "burr" (and not burl afterall), and maybe a photo.

Cheers mate
Stu

 

[robin wood]

I was hoping you would answer Robin. Can you give me any more info on a "burr" (and not burl afterall), and maybe a photo.

Cheers mate
Stu

Burl is what Americans call it burr is the same thing. It look like a bunch of little twigs all growing from the same spot and all only 1/2" long. I'll see if i can find some pics.

 

[robin wood]

OK here are a few examples, not ever so typical

Small ones on birch

ginormous one on birch

more typical sized ones on rowan

 

[IntrepidStu]

Thanks alot Robin, much appreciated.

Stu

 

[hog]

Glad this thread was started.
How do you get a burl off the tree, obviously you have to cut it but do you just saw it off flat with the trunk?

 

[Stew]

Glad this thread was started.
How do you get a burl off the tree, obviously you have to cut it but do you just saw it off flat with the trunk?

I don't think cutting it off the tree and leaving the tree standing is the best thing to do.

 

[inthewids]

Definately not, would leave it open to diseases and infection and could possibly kill it. you should ask a local tree surgeon or similar.

 

[IntrepidStu]

Thanks for that, that was going to be my next question.

Definately not, would leave it open to diseases and infection and could possibly kill it. you should ask a local tree surgeon or similar.

 

[robin wood]

Cutting burrs from trees is something that has been done for years in the US and I have seen many photos of old trees with scars many decades old and the bark slowly trying to regrow to cover the wound.

If you do it, effectively you are breaking the bark/cambium circle and the path of water up and sugars down. It is just the same effect as an animal, horse or squirrel say stripping the bark. 10% has a minor effect 50% of the circumference could easily kill a tree. Then the exposed scar is also a route in for fungi.

I would strongly recommend felling the whole tree assuming it's on your own land or somewhere you have permission and allowing it to regrow from the stump or something else to grow in its place. For most of us the best place to find burrs for use is not the woods but the tree surgeons yard.

 

[fishfish]

round here we cut the burl off and seal the cut,tree doesnt seem to suffer at all!

 

[robin wood]

"Sealing" pruning cuts is a practice that has long since been abandoned in horticultural and arborocultural practice. Any sealant creates a moist environment perfect for the growth of harmful bacteria and pathogenic fungi. There is no question that cutting through the inner bark of a tree does cause damage, the only question is the degree. The damage can take years to fully manifest itself.