In search of Redwood Burl

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These photos are from a trip my wife and I took on Monday in search of Redwood burl.
We ended up spending a lot of time in the Redwood parks taking photos. But we were able to buy some really good wood as well.

1st photo is at the state line going into California on Hwy 199, aka the Redwood Highway.

This was at a rest stop. They still use Redwood for water holding tanks.

We were literally driving through the mountains.

Lots of rivers through the mountains.

In the redwoods.

One of the roadside Redwood places. This guy mills salvaged Redwood stumps left from logging in the 1800s and early 1900s. He also does chainsaw carvings for the tourists.

I wanted these two old tabletops but he didn't want to sell them.

 

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Back on the road through the Redwood parks.

A Redwood with some burl at the base of the tree.

I found myself looking up quite a bit.

 

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More photos in the parks.

A blown over Redwood.

Looking up.

Some big burls.

 

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More big burls.

Looking up again.

On the back roads sometimes you can find small independent mills. They are a good place to check for burl slabs that have been set aside. Unfortunately couldn't find any humans here.

 

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I thought this tree looked like a large bonsai.

There were a bunch of these crazy ground squirrels. If they weren't chasing each other they would try to chase us. They would come running right at you and then stop just inches away and then run off.

When we got to the coast the weather went from sunny and in the 90s to foggy and in the 70s.

This is the burl I brought back in the truck. I am sending a trailer to pick up a bunch of furniture grade curly redwood for the shop as well.

The day went by quickly and I wasn't able to go to all the places I wanted to go. So I will have to plan another trip farther down the coast in the near future.

 

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This is what I got from cutting the round slab in the lower left hand side of the photo. I sanded one for a better look before I send them to K&G for stabilizing.

 

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This is the top left slab.
Some people call all Redwood Burl "Lace Redwood" incorrectly. This is what I call Lace. Burl eyes with lace patterns around the eyes.

 

[quint]

Great lookin stuff and the trip looked like alot of fun. Miss going to the redwoods, its always such an impressive site.

You by chance gonna dye any redwood black again? Thought it turned out really cool lookin.

 

[theHobbyist]

That's some incredibly beautiful country you're in! Makes me miss living in California quite a bit. Though I can't complain about living in Hawaii, but we just don't get drives like that.

 

[Karl B. Andersen]

That's an extraordinary write-up, Mark. Thanks for taking us along. I'm not sure too many of us here realize how much work you do to provide us with top-shelf materials.
Even if it does mean driving tirelessly through beautiful surroundings.
Those burls are outrageous.

 

[phillipsted]

Thanks for the nice thread, Mark! Sounds like you had a great trip!

TedP

 

[Burl Source]

That's an extraordinary write-up, Mark. Thanks for taking us along. I'm not sure too many of us here realize how much work you do to provide us with top-shelf materials.
Even if it does mean driving tirelessly through beautiful surroundings.
Those burls are outrageous.

It is kind of like exploring and treasure hunting. In the end I get to call it working.

Quint,
I doubt I will dye any of this burl. Lately it has been pretty popular in it's natural color.

Hobbyist,
If I ever make it to Hawaii we will have to get together and go hunting Koa and the other unusual woods you have there.

 

[KP]

Beautiful pictures of beautiful scenery. Makes me miss that part of the country.

 

[ricsha]

Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Plus it looks like there will be some premium wood available in a few weeks.
Regards,
Rich

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

Looks great! I'll keep an eye out for some larger blocks for some upcoming projects. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Jack O'Neill]

AH , a trip to Crescent City . All pretty country .

 

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AH , a trip to Crescent City . All pretty country .

Next trip will be farther south along the coast to Orick and Arcata.