The burl of a tree, a highly sought-after outgrowth

Beyond the bark: discovering how tree burls are formed

From the outside, a burl looks like a bump on the tree; it is very recognizable. The size of a burl varies depending on its age and the tree on which it formed. For example, in the case of the sequoia, some burls formed on this large tree can reach 8 meters and encompass the entire trunk of the tree (see photo below).

Inside, the wood of a tree burl has the shape of intertwined circles. When you cut a burl, you can clearly see that this wood formed in circles and that the layers have merged in some places.

How is a burl formed on a tree?

Today, we do not know exactly how this growth forms on the tree. We have to wait for nature to do its work and for the tree to form the burl before harvesting it. If we knew how a burl is formed, there would be tree farms around the world cultivating burls by the hundreds. But that is not the case, which is why it is a rare, highly prized and expensive raw material.

Why does a burl form on a tree?

If we don't know how a burl forms, we do know why it forms! This outgrowth is the tree's defense mechanism against stress it is subjected to. This stress can be caused by multiple factors such as infections from insects or fungi, a wound in the bark, or the development of parasitic mistletoe.

Once the defense mechanism is triggered, the tree's normal growth process is disrupted. The unopened buds accumulate on top of one another, forming the burl.

The bark covering the burl, as with the rest of the tree, protects the wood.

The art of nature for the happiness of woodworkers

Burls are a gold mine for woodworkers and a raw material for the manufacture of furniture and high-end objects. It is important to know that a burl is unique; you will not find two burls with the same appearance. When you start carving into a burl, you do not know which patterns and colors it will offer you.

What can be done with burl wood?

Here is a list of some possible uses for burl wood. But in reality, the only limit is your imagination!

• Inlaying burl wood to adorn cabinets, tables, or musical instruments
• Creation of wall panels or interior doors
• Creation of vases, cups, bowls or wooden tableware

Discover Kuksa Shop's unique wooden products hand-carved from burl

Birch burl

Authentic Finnish wooden cups, called kuksa, carved from birch burl and decorated in some cases with a piece of reindeer antler. We also offer an assortment of birch burl spoons.

Birch burl

Olive ash burl

The olive ash burl offers incredible shades of brown and allows us to carve butter knives, bowls but also coasters and key rings.

Olive ash burl

Elm burl

Creation of wooden cups, knives and spoons in elm burl to enjoy a breakfast with 100% natural tableware. We also make elm burl coasters and key rings.

The elm burl

The most sought-after burls for woodworking

Burls can grow on many varieties of trees but here are the most common:

• Elm
• Oak
• Ash
• Birch
• Walnut
• Maple

As an example, here is what a raw birch burl looks like when carved in kuksa: