How to find burl

Re: How to find burl

Dave Ramer

>... trees... in the woods...;)

Depending on your area and the species available, will dictate what you may find. Check around for mills that harvest trees and are not interested in Burls or may be willing to sell burl wood direct. May mean buying more than you need or want.

Before you decide to harvest your own, make sure it is not on private land. If it is, getpermission from the owner. If it is on "public" or govt. controlled land, you will need ot deal with all the issues associated with the agencies. Check with the Forest Service in your area.

I have seen burls on trees in neighborhoods. Sometimes (not likely) the homeowner may part with it. If they do, make sure you don't kill the tree in the harvesting process.

Look for orchards that are being cut down or thinned. Sometimes there will be root burls, especially in the Walnut and Maple family.

Check with wholesale locations vs. retail. For instance, Gilmers in Portland Oregon, sells burl blanks a lot cheaper than Woodcrafters, Rockler, etc.

Good luck...

Local tree services

Ellis Walentine

>These guys take down trees all the time, and they often dump unwanted parts at a landfill somewhere nearby. If you can get access to that dumping area, you may find a gold mine.

Also, tell these tree guys that you'd like to know whenever they find burls or other notable wood. Norway maples are getting hacked up all the time in many areas of the country, and it is a dream wood for turning, not to mention full of amazing curl and figure.

Gold is where you find it.

Ellis

Stump dumps

Bob Hackett

>Excavation companies will either bury stumps or cart them to a collection point(a "stump dump").These areas are an excellent source of some premium turning wood.Here in coastal Maine we get root burls on just about everything but mostly red oak and paper birch.These burls are bud burls and not just swelling on the bases of the trees.I have found bud burls in hemlock,hornbeam,ash and cherry also just by looking thru these stump dumps.It`s alot of work,starting with pressure washing the stumps and includes afew chain changes as you encounter imbedded rocks while using the chainsaw,but the combination of swirling grain AND burl is well worth the effort IMO.Judging by sales alone I`m not the only one why feels this way.:^)

Mainely,Bob

Re: Stump dumps

Sean Troy

>Hi, I would not recomend harvesting burls from live trees just to get the burls. This would most likely kill the tree. Other places mentioned are the best source. Landfills after a good storm, Tree services, parks and recreations, that are removing trees for what ever reason ect... Just my two cents worth. Sean