What is a burl top?
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A relatively new entry into the world of electric guitar wood tops. Burl is a popular swirl style of cut used for contemporary guitars and by custom shop manufacturers. Check out our incredible selection of burl tops.
What is a burl?
A burl is a tree growth in which the grain has grown in a de- formed manner. It commonly occurs on a tree trunk or branch as a rounded outgrowth filled with small knots. Several incidents have been reported to police, who. say it is likely there are others that have gone unre- ported or undetected.
How do you identify a burl?
Burls can be identified by sight and touch.
- Walk near trees to observe their roots. Normal roots grow outward from the trunk and have a long, snakelike appearance.
- Examine the tree trunks.
- Touch the bark on the suspected burl if you can reach it.
- Look up and observe the tree branches.
Why is burl so expensive?
Because the grain is twisted and interlocked, burl wood is extremely dense and resistant to splitting. Burls have become so valuable that poachers have even been known to cut them from the side of trees in national parks, such as the ancient redwoods in California.
Can you remove a burl without killing tree?
Skip Living Trees You should never cut burl wood from a living tree. Excising a bit of its trunk can kill the entire plant. No matter how beautiful a burl you have found, you need to skip it if the tree’s still alive.
What can I do with a burl?
A single burl block can be resawn and mounted on a substrate to make a small-to-medium sized veneered panel, or added as an inlay into a larger project to contribute visual interest. Luthiers often use burl tops for guitar bodies or headstocks, and turners love burl pieces to make smaller items like pen blanks.
Are burls bad for trees?
While burls do not kill trees directly they can reduce a tree’s health and lifespan. The unusual swirling grain pattern found in burls makes them prized by woodworkers. Entire burls can be carved into bowls or art objects, and thin veneers of highly patterned burlwood are used on musical instruments such as guitars.
What causes a burl on a tree trunk?
A burl is a strange-looking collection of tree cells, which are called callus tissue. Normally, callus tissue is formed by a tree in response to an environmental injury such as a pruning cut, disease, or insect damage.
Are burls valuable?
Most burls, especially layered burls, are not particularly valuable. On the other hand, a larger eyed burl in good condition should bring $25 to $200 depending on size, species and condition. I have had burls up to 8 feet in diameter, and many in the 4-5 foot range. Those can be worth $500 or more.