Burl Wood

This is the time of year when there are many craft shows and Christmas bazars and often you can find a table displaying beautiful wood turned bowls created from unique wood formations that are made from burl wood.

I suppose I have walked by this tree along my favourite walking trail hundreds of times but had never taken a picture of the huge burl protruding from its trunk before. However having seen some beautiful wooden bowls at a craft table just last weekend, I thought it worthy of mention.

A burl is an abnormal growth on a tree and is often prized by artists and wood crafters for its uniqueness of growth patterns and rings that it may hold within. (editing note: the above photo to the left was added to the original posting when found and photographed on Dec. 11, '06)