Harvesting/ processing a REALKY big burl

Kevin McGovern

Kevin McGovern

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Jul 31, 2015
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I have my eye on a large I think maple, burl. Maybe 5-6' in diameter. Any advice on how to process it? I would likely need to break it down into at least four sections to transport it. No way I can band saw this thing even with that. I'm thinking I could take it to a local mill to cut up, but don't know what size / cuts I should ask for it to be cut to.
 
Believe I would have it cut into about 2" slabs, sticker it inside a building and cover with something that would allow air flow through the wood. You may have to let it set quite a while until moisture gets down to about 8% or so. Then you can cut it into more workable pieces for further drying and stabilizing. Wish I could find a burl like that, lol.
 
Heh heh! a phrase from "the tradional bowyer's bible comes to mind.... "in an act somewhere between horticulture and larceny..."
 
If you do manage to talk the owner into giving it to you and you find yourself in need of help, I would love to give you a hand. I live about an hour from Hereford.
 
I do it with a chainsaw when they're anything bigger than a foot or so.
 
What do you plan to do with the wood? That will dictate the process. If you need huge slabs of it, then find the least rotted sections. If you are using it for knife scales then this is what I do:

I cut them into slabs. Depending on the least material loss. (there will always be some loss)
Then after a few days of letting them dry out, I coat them in tightbond 3 to seal them and prevent cracking. Then I let it sit for at least a year. I have done this with MANY burls including maple with 100% success. I have more burls now then I know what to do with.

Normally I have an electric chainsaw that I carry in my ruck sack and hike into the woods. Usually takes a few days to harvest the entire burl. When its on my friends property, its all about loading up the truck.
 
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