Tree Burls: Interesting Growths
Sometimes abnormal growths appears on
trees that can be small but grow to large sizes. These growths are referred to
as ‘burls’. They are a hardy, woody outgrowth that forms on a tree trunk or
branch filled with small knots from dormant buds. They begin as tumors called
galls that result from a tree undergoing suffering
stress caused by a disease, insect activity or injuries. The cambial growth
inside the tree is hyper-stimulated as a way for it to isolate and contain the
injury or infection. The wood is almost always covered by bark. The burl will continue to grow and expand in
size as the tree grows and can double in size over time. The trees are weakened
but rarely die although they are more susceptible to toppling in windstorms.
Burlwood is
quite expensive and is prized due to the unique shapes and rings that form in
them. The wood is used to make furniture, bowls, and other types of sculptures,
and is valuable for making veneer.
Burls are
another one of nature’s oddities.
Tree burls form as a result of the tree containing
and isolating a disease area or injury. Photograph
by Timothy Daly, UGA Extension
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