Burls

Are you looking for a species of exotic wood that has a look like no other? Whether you plan to create small decorative items or you want to purchase materials for flooring or furniture that possesses truly dramatic color and texture, considering exotic hardwood with burls is a wonderful way to achieve a striking look.

What are burls? Burls are a perfect example of beauty that comes from chaos. Essentially, they are outgrowths that occur when something causes the grain to grow in a strange manner. This is said to be a sign of illness in the tree—burls can result from anything from insect infestation to fungus. Whatever the reason, the strain put on the tree results in a large knob forming underneath the bark. These enormous growths can grow to be quite big—so big that some are even on display in museums!

While some burls are located near the tree’s roots, they can also often be seen along the trunk as well. What is truly extraordinary is the effect burls have on the wood’s grain. Burls actually alter the shape of it, resulting in beautiful swirling patterns where the grain would normally be smooth and straight.

Burls are common among all sorts of exotic hardwoods, from redwoods to cedar. Their one-of-a-kind patterns and textures make them an expensive rarity, but many woodworkers agree that they’re more than worth the cost.

It’s for this reason that most burl hardwoods are used as veneers. This process only uses a small portion of the wood in the form of small tiles glued to another surface. Like many hardwoods that have complex grain patterns, it’s best to offset such beauty with a more neutral hued wood, such as bamboo or cedar.

Unfortunately, working with wood that has burls in it is very difficult indeed, as the grain has been warped to such an extent that it makes it hard to cut. This is truly a wood for experienced craftspeople. However, the shape of the grain typically does not effect the wood’s other benefits, such as a resistance to water stains or heat.

Believe it or not, there are also manufacturers who make use of the burl itself. Redwood tree burls are a wonderful example of this. Some of these grow big enough that woodworkers are able to slice slabs of it for use as countertops, tabletops, chairs, and even bed frames! What makes this truly unique is that the slab maintains the original jagged shape of the burl, creating a wonderfully organic look.