What is Burl?

Something happens in the life of perhaps one tree out of a thousand. A strange growth, called burl, begins to form, usually around the root system. Over many years, as the burl grows, rocks, dirt, and bark become imbedded in the wood. Once the burl has been cut away from the stump it takes many hours to clean away the dirt and rocks to prepare the wood to be worked on. The cleaned wood is cut into slabs or thick chunks. After a slow drying process of three to five years, this very dense wood is now ready to be turned and polished on the lathe. Burl has many different grain patterns and color variations. Colors range from a rare pale pink to the more common rich reds, and brownish reds. The unusual black burl is believed to occur when the burl grows near water.

Burl can occur in many different types of trees but no one really knows why this unique and beautiful wood forms. There are many theories, but origins of burl remain a mystery. The average Redwood burl can weigh between ten and twenty thousand pounds. Some have been known to weigh as much as one hundred thousand pounds. Madrone and maple burls are smaller in size than most Redwood burls. However, madrone's colors are similar to Redwood, blonde to brownish reds to deep reds with black streaks. Their grain patterns are very different than Redwoods. Maple's colors range from light blonde to brownish blonde, and can have small bark pits imbedded in the wood. All three woods are native to northern California's Redwood Country, Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Working with highly figured grain patterns, each piece has many natural occurring fissures, making each piece distinct and beautiful.

The natural edge bowls are made from the top cut of the burl and are most difficult to create because of the fragility of the "live edge". You can see the darker surface wood around the edge of these bowls. I acquired most of the Redwood burls from loggers who found them while cutting shake bolts from residual stumps, that large timber companies harvested 50-60 years ago. In addition, the maple and madrone burls that I have acquired have come from individuals clearing land to build on.

All vases, some bowls, and serving trays are finished with three coats of sanding sealer, left to dry for several days, and then put back on the lathe and sanded again. After this process these pieces are finished with two permanent coats of satin lacquer. Bowls and serving trays which are made from flawless burl and all of the rolling pins, are finished with an edible, environmentally friendly product, made from beeswax, canuba wax, and mineral oil. All vases contain a glass florist vial suitable for fresh, dried and silk flowers.

Care

As with all fine wood products, keep away from direct sunlight and extreme temperature changes. A periodic application of salad bowl finish is recommended to maintain the beauty and luster of the wood originally finished in this manner. Clean with a damp cloth and dry with a clean soft cloth. Do not immerse in water or place in a dishwasher.