How Are Burls Formed

A burl is a cool looking extraneous growth on a tree.

How are burls formed. Such burls sometimes appear as groups of bulbous protrusions connected by a system of rope like roots. Now that we know what burl wood is it is important to understand how they are formed and what causes them. Ugly on the outside but magnificent on the inside it can form on any type of tree. At the base of a redwood tree sequoia sempervirens are lumpy gnarled growths called burls.

Inside them are buds that sprout if the redwood dies. Similar to the human body when a tree undergoes stress gets sick or hurt in any way it can effect it internally and externally. It seems that burls are caused by broken branches insect damage and many other sorts of distress to the tree. The vessels are still working and theres still starch storage in the healthy outer parts of the burl so its capable of normal function though im sure that function is diminished.

Every individual burl is unique and has its own character. A burl usually grows when the tree is undergoing some stress whether it be an injury virus or fungal infection. The xylem twisted and contorted though it is still seems to do its job of transporting water and nutrients. Burls are also known as burrs in the us and in the uk the dashboards of jaguars are traditionally made from burr walnut with the lovely swirly patterns typical of burls or burrs.

How to grow a live redwood burl. A burl results from a tree undergoing some form of stress. I love sawing burls and selling them and over the years i have accumulated many different species and varieties of grain patterns spalted eyes flames and curls. What causes burls on trees.

Burls dont seem to do much harm to the tree or shorten its life said smith.