How much is a maple burl worth?
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.
What causes burls on maple trees?
In burl formation, the tree’s growth hormones get disrupted when the metabolism of the tree is hijacked by some other organism – a virus, fungus, or bacterium. The crown gall bacterium is responsible for many burls (although many are too small for woodturning).
What trees are prone to burls?
WHICH TREE SPECIES GROW BURLS?
- Cherry (Prunus)
- Oak (Quercus)
- Ash (Fraxinus)
- Maple (Acer)
- Elm (Ulmus)
- Walnut (Juglans)
Are tree burls rare?
Every piece of burl wood is unique, and this is one reason they are considered rare and valuable. They come in a variety of sizes and have different grains and color of wood. In fact, it would be near impossible to find two pieces exactly alike.
Do maple trees have burls?
Though it may sound like it, ‘burl’ does not describe a type of tree. Maple burl wood comes from a maple tree that has undergone an interesting process. Basically, a ‘burl’ is a strange and unnatural growth on the bark of a tree. These are sometimes thought of as ‘tree tumors’ because of their large organic shapes.
Is red maple a hardwood or softwood?
hardwoods
Red maple, also known as Acer rubrum, belongs to the “soft†maple category, although all maples are hardwoods.
What is special about burl wood?
Burled wood is thick and resists splitting, so it’s ideal for building furniture and decor with unique designs. It’s also often cut into thin layers and used as veneer for furniture, musical instruments, automobile paneling, and more.
How do you harvest maple burl?
Process of Harvesting Removing a small burl from a tree is straightforward: simply cut a little below where the burl is attached. Larger burls are not so easy. It is my feeling that harvesting burls is somewhat like cutting diamonds: there is a knack to it.
Is red maple wood expensive?
Pricing/Availability: Should be very moderately priced, though figured pieces such as curly or quilted grain patterns are likely to be much more expensive.
What is red maple good for?
The white, fine-grained wood is used for furniture, flooring, cabinetry, paneling, veneer, musical instruments, tool handles, cutting boards, butcher blocks, wooden bowls, boxes and crates, and many other uses. Red maple is an excellent wood for fuel and is also used for saw timber and pulpwood.
Why is burl wood so expensive?
If we’re following the rules of supply and demand, these are typically more expensive than the more readily available wood species. It’s not just rare wood species that can fetch a pretty penny though, tree burls have fast become some of the most valuable forms of lumber on the market.
What is inside a tree burl?
A burl (American English) or burr (British English) is a tree growth in which the grain has grown in a deformed manner. It is commonly found in the form of a rounded outgrowth on a tree trunk or branch that is filled with small knots from dormant buds.