collecting burl in wisconsin?

H

hurley0816

Joined
Nov 3, 2009
Messages
103
is there any trees in wisconsin that would have burl that is good for knives? if so what would be the best way to harvest it? thanks
 
Unless you are cutting wood on your own property you need to check with the local Dept of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management or whatever they have in Wisconsin. Many states have and enforce strict laws as to what they call wood poaching.

If you do happen to find some burl that you are able to obtain there will still be a matter of years before it is ready to use. Plus there will be waste. I know this sounds discouraging. It was meant to. It is a shame to cut down a tree just for a piece of wood that will just become junk if not processed correctly.

Most of our wood is salvage from land clearing and down trees. Some of the guys who bring us burl will cut the cap from the trunk of the tree. You need to be good with a chainsaw to keep from trashing the burl or causing excessive injury to the tree. In Oregon you can get a permit to harvest burl in certain seasons and areas. Much like getting a hunting license.

If you still want to collect your own burl, the easiest way would be to get in touch with someone who cuts firewood commercially and ask to look through what they might have.
 
Burl Source said:
If you still want to collect your own burl, the easiest way would be to get in touch with someone who cuts firewood commercially and ask to look through what they might have.
Click to expand...

Not much firewood cutting in these parts, but there are many arborists that are worth trying to suck up to. Maybe there are some in your area too?

As for wood species that burl up, there must be many, maples for one.

I started lowering my sights a bit and have been looking for crotch wood, root crown wood (where the truck and roots meet) and spalted wood. Heck I've even started moistening wood and stuffing pieces in heavy contractor grade black plastic garbage bags along with dirt, compost, and rotting rabbit shit. The whole mess gets stuffed in the crawl space under my house. I'll see what happens in a few more months.

Good luck and keep us posted.
 
so... im having second thoughts, thanks Burl:thumbup:I dont want to mess up a tree just for some burl. can you guys give me some tips on collecting these other types of wood like farmer phil collects? is there any wood that i could collect that wont kill the tree?I do have some friends that cut firewood, but most of those trees are dead, does that matter? thanks
 
I couldn't imagine a friend worrying about a few handles worth of material out of a cord of firewood. Don't worry about green or dry, I'd just be really picky and only keep the choicest pieces. Then go back often when new wood comes in. Maybe you could tag along once in a while and try to get pieces out of the left over root and stump. The good stuff's hiding inside somewhere, I wouldn't collect firewood figuring I'd get around to using it later. Don't forget the beer once in a while for you friends.

Good luck with it, Craig
 
Thru the years I've picked up 2 garbage cans full of oak, birch, maple, and box elder,sometimes when out and about eastern hophornbeam, or cherry gets included.
I"ve really built up a supply of nice stuff usually I rough it out oversize the best of the best after drying gets stabilized. There was a time when the smallest squiggle in wood
got me going.
Ken.
 
hurley0816 said:
so... im having second thoughts, thanks Burl:thumbup:I dont want to mess up a tree just for some burl. can you guys give me some tips on collecting these other types of wood like farmer phil collects? is there any wood that i could collect that wont kill the tree?I do have some friends that cut firewood, but most of those trees are dead, does that matter? thanks
Click to expand...

Standing dead trees can yield some really cool wood. Usually have unusual colors and the wood is well on it's way to being ready to use. There is a good chance of finding curly or quilted maple. Watch for a washboard looking surface on the outside of the log. If you are looking through firewood that has been split you will see a distinct wavy surface where it was split. Only pick the pieces that are real good or you'll just accumulate a lot of firewood. Firewood size pieces are also easy to handle on the bandsaw. When you have a likely looking piece using a bandsaw cut a 2 inch thick slab. Then cut the edge of the slab square. This way you can see both surfaces to determine if the grain and figure make it a keeper.

Talking to tree service people is a good way to find cool pieces as well. Just tell them you want the weird distorted stuff.
 
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