cherry burl

Re: cherry burl

Philip F Duffy

How big diameter, green, etc? P.

Re: cherry burl

Keith Newton

Jack, if you have a digital camera, the best way to start would be to have images that you can share. I’ve been offered many burls that turned out to be cankers and even old limb scars, which have no value.

Also many burls are just big smooth bumps on the tree, and have no value that I’m aware of. Then some have tiny needle like points under the bark. These would be more valuable.

Burls start growing from the pith out, so don’t cut it flush with the tree trunk because you would be leaving a portion inside the trunk.

You might share your location as well.

Re: cherry burl

Don Stephan

While I have very limited experience sub-dividing a burl, I did find I think in each one some voids and included bark. Perhaps someone with lots of experience can "read" the value of a burl just from the exterior on a log, but some? many? might regard a whole burl on a section of log "a pig in a poke" and not assign too much value to it, as opposed to sawn pieces showing the figure and any voids, cracks, and included bark.

Re: cherry burl

John K Jordan

I too consider a burl almost worthless until I can see the inside. I've seen way too many that were in fact worthless inside.

There sometimes hints on the surface folds or holes that might lead to extensive bark inclusions, voids, or rot.

Without experience, just flip a coin and make a cut. Or sell whole for cheap or to an someone very experienced with burls to an enthusiastic but inexperienced woodtuer. I've seen burls I wouldn't want go for way too much at an auction.

JKJ