What is Burl Wood? It's Weirder Than You Think!
Burl wood is anything but average. The swirls, twirls, and eyes dancing in the bark all create a unique, highly figured wood grain that no human could dream of designing.
But what is burl wood really? We know you've heard of it -- our walnut burl and maple burl watches get a lot of love from you guys! Here's a hint: it's not a type of tree!
A burl is a cool-looking, extraneous growth on a tree. Ugly on the outside, but magnificent on the inside, it can form on any type of tree! A burl usually grows when the tree is undergoing some stress, whether it be an injury, virus, or fungal infection. The tree's growth hormones are disrupted and, consequently, it produces those colorful looking lumps and swirls.
Look how gorgeous the interior of the burls are when cut open!
While burls can technically form on any type of tree, certain species are more susceptible to the fungal attacks that produce burl wood. As a result, burls are quite rare. They can't be produced on command and, hence, are prized for their incomparable beauty.
Interestingly, burls don't do much harm to trees or shorten their lifespan. In fact, burls, despite their rarity, are a sustainable wood product if harvested with care. They can be harvested without chopping down and killing an entire tree. As burls age, their colors and patterns become even richer. It can take 30-40 years for a burl to reach maturity and its peak in distorted beauty.
Unsightly, but truly a gift from nature!
One piece of burl wood will never be identical to another. That's why all of our watches are naturally unique...they'll never look the same as in the product photo! Burls are great conversation pieces for the wood enthusiast.
