Burls?

[Cliniford]

What causes burls? Asking because all my apple trees have what look like small burls where I have hit them with the lawn mower. My corkscrew willow has the same thing. Just looks like small burls at the bottom of all my trees.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

It's the tree version of scar tissue. Mulch rings and better mowing skills should solve the problem.

 

[Axmeaquestion]

Semi-related note: I have a large bruise where I keep banging my head into the wall....ideas?

 

[Cliniford]

I know that me hitting the trees with the lawn mower is what's causing it. Just wondering if that scar tissue is what becomes a burl or is it something else that causes burls.

 

[BC WetCoast]

There are other reasons for burl formation, many of which are unknown. I've seen many trees that have never been seen by humans before with burls.

 

[zacker]

I know that me hitting the trees with the lawn mower is what's causing it. Just wondering if that scar tissue is what becomes a burl or is it something else that causes burls.

usually its like what everyone is saying, its a scar that then gets grown over... or some other type of damage like a broken branch stub. As the tree grows the area gets covered over and over and it grows and grows ...the bigger the Burl, the better... from a "Selling-wood-to-hobbyists" point of view. as they are highly sought after for wood turners and other projects because of their interesting grain patterns. Some Burls may also just come about naturally from a weird growth pattern, im not sure but I have been looking and looking for them in the woods and cant find any... lol

 

[ChoppyChoppy]

Can't hardly even give them away here.
I've turned several into firewood but they are hard to cut and split.

I've got one in the yard that's about 4ft across. Another on that's maybe 6" but it forms on a branch that was maybe 1/2".

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Get in touch with the Alaska Bowl Company in Fairbanks, they'd be int erested.

 

[Erik B]

Cherry trees around here are prone to developing burls and wood turners love them, but only if they get to them before the black ants.