Wood Burl Question????

B . Buxton

B . Buxton

Joined
Jul 8, 2001
Messages
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Ok you guys that know about wood burls. I was out roaming the woods this afternoon and came across this white oak. Its about a 3/4 mile walk from the truck, so before I go back carring a heavy chainsaw, can you tell me if this picture is what they get the pretty burl figured handles out of.

Thanks,

Bill
 
Bill, I've found few on some scrub oak out on some property I own. The ones I cut off were hollow but you could probably use the exercise. It might be solid and worth the walk also. Like Allen said it will take awhile to dry out.
 
Thanks guys, I'll try to get it tomorrow, the sooner I cut it the sooner it will dry out.

Bill
 
Bill, Just to clarify - when we say it takes a long time to dry a burl,we aren't talking about a couple of weeks.It can take two to three years to dry some species.Oak dries fairly fast.Coat the cut surfaces with house paint and put the burl in a warm and dry place.The attic is a good area in some states,bad in others.Protect from freezing or roasting temperatures,and let dry slowly to between 10% and 15% moisture before slabbing it up.The outer part has the best burl pattern.Cutting down the burl this time of the year is the best.
Stacy
 
Bill, Looks like you scored big time bud. Like the others said, its going to be a while but the wait should be worth it. I have a couple chunks of Juniper burl that was cut in 2003 and the same proceedure was taken that stacey mentioned and im hoping to get some use out of it within the next year or so. I figure no big hurry the longer I wait the better.

Shane
 
Mallee roots are also a great source for the burl pattern. Not sure what it is like where you are, but we find them absolutely everywhere, all over the ground and in the bush. Basically just old tree roots long that have been laying about for years, drying up on the ground... :D
Cutting off burls just take so long to get them dry and the patterns are very similar.
Just a thought. ;)
Take it easy,
Steve.
 
Nothing extra to add here other than - You lucky bugger!!!

Ya they take a goodly long time to dry but the wood grain will be really cool once it's ready.

Sean
 
One note no one has mentioned yet. Cut the burl with at least 6" extra material. This helps maximize the yield out of the burl, being that any checking/splits will probably occur there.
 
I keep hearing about the time factor.Is there any way to speed up the process , as they do in " Kiln dried lumber " ? Or is that just asking for trouble in the area of splitting , cracking etc ? And could you also precut into smaller " rough cut " pieces ? That too might turn years into months , maybe ??? Just a thought . We have a sawmill near hear that has a kiln to dry lumber , wonder if a guy could talk them into " squeezing some small chunks like that in , I come across burl quite often in my forays thru the woods around here and have often wondered about the topic being covered .
 
Thanks everyone, I didn't figure it would dry and be ready to use to soon. I cut some oaks handle size blocks a little over a year ago, waxed the ends, left all summer on the shelf in my shed and then used a heat box using a 40 watt and a cooler for about 8 weeks. I sent them off to wssi and told them to check them, they came back in great shape, no checkering and ready to use.
I'm in no hurry, but the sooner its in the shed the sooner it will start drying.

I just didn't want to pack a 20 pound chain saw that far and then be a waste of time and unwanted expense paying the chiropractor. :D I've done crap like that before.

Thanks,

Bill
 
If you have ever priced seasoned burl wood you will see that it is worth your time. In all the years of hunting, fishing and backpacking around WA state I think I have only come across two burls on tree's. I have also stabilized wild apple that was green in just three weeks. Burled wood is best worked stabilized anyway. You have a grain that runs in every direction and will split anywhere it want's with no warning.
 
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