Whats it called ?

[Robert Arrowood]

Hello there guys and gals gotta question.I would like to know what the large groth on trees is called ? And if it's worth anything. It's the groth thats on the main trunk of the tree.I guess it's some kind of fungus. someone told me it was valuable. Thanks in advance for all the help!

[DaveO]

It's usually nothing of value. Cut it off the tree and send it to me. I will perform a biopsy on it and let you know if it is worth keeping. I might have to send it back to you in the form of pens and bowls.

That sounds like it could possibly be a burl. Burl - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Which is like a tree cancer. It's an area of rapidly dividing cells that causes very unusual grain and figure formations. But unlike human cancer it isn't harmful to the tree at all, except if you try to remove it via a chainsaw from a living tree and send it to some idiot on your woodworking forum.

What kind of tree is it on, can you post a picture, and some directions to it's location
Dave

[jeff...]

How large is large?

[Robert Arrowood]

Well there is actually 2 trees.A rough guess 1 is about the size of a soccer ball.And the other about the size of a basketball.I might even go cut them Friday before work.They are right next door from my job. Who knows Dave I may just send 1 your way.

[Robert Arrowood]

Dave the site is the one you put in you first responce you posted. The groth in the pic of Olympic National Park really looks like what I was asking about. I plan on calling it mine today. They have already cleared the lot at the other end. Missed out on the ones down there. But not these!

[Nativespec]

Burl.

[Robert Arrowood]

Well went and cut one hunk of burl today.Black Cherry about 18in. in dia. and 12 to 15in. tall.There are a few more that I plan on getting next week.Just wandering what they would be worth.Don't worry DaveO I an't forgot about you.

[Mark Anderson]

i don't know what the going rate is on cherry burl, but i'm thinking you might want to paint the cut ends to keep it from drying too quickly witch might cause splitting.

[Ozzie-x]

A few weeks ago, I went to Grandfather Mountain, and in the lobby of the main building there's one of these "tree cancers" that's maybe 6' in diameter that a carver hollowed out the inside, smoothed the outside, and made I guess what would be called a bowl. (It's approaching Dozer's avatar). It was very pretty and truly a wonder at the time and craftsmanship that went into making the "bowl". I didn't have time to study the write-up on the display, but like DaveO said, it's a fungus akin to cancer that occurs on trees.

[Robert Arrowood]

Originally Posted by Mark Anderson

i don't know what the going rate is on cherry burl, but i'm thinking you might want to paint the cut ends to keep it from drying too quickly witch might cause splitting.

Thanks Mark I'll do that,mabe dip it in hot wax. I've found in cuting my sticks to always cut long that way it don't split into the good stuff. I cut this with about a foot on the ends.

[Sir Chiz]

Could be "burl",which is a genetic defect, could be a scab or scar caused by injury to the tree, which healed over.
Burl is usually characterized by clusters of "eyes", thought to be branches that didn't develop, and mutated.
Look under the bark,the surface of a true "burl" will be covered with small spikes, if the surface is smooth, it's a scab or scar.
Scabs and scars can have some nice sworling grain, or can be bland.
Some sellers will pass scabs as burl for for high price, but true burl is much rarer and more valuable.

Phil.

[Robert Arrowood]

Well it was confermed I got burl "black cherry burl". Went to my local wood Pro "Kyle" yesterday.I've got a 45# chunck.And a few more pieces where that came from.Might be willing to swap out for a couple of pens and mabe a bowl and you keep the rest.That is if anyone is interested? If so we can work out details by PM as to not tie up the site. "Unless you want to make bids"

[sapwood]

Congrats Robert . . . must be a Birthday Burl

Roger