Afzelia Burl Figured
- Burl Wood Burl wood is a type of wood used by artists to create sculptures and other items, such as clocks and even some forms of furniture. Burl wood is highly prized by artists because of its unique shapes and ring patterns. Burl wood is a type of fast growing, abnormal growth found on some trees. Burl wood grows because the tree has experienced some sort of environmental stress or damage. This is often caused by either a fungal attack or an attack by insects.
The number of trees that produce burl wood is quite low. In addition, certain areas tend to create more burl wood than others, because all or many of the trees in a particular location are likely to be attacked by the same fungus or insects. Certain species also tend to be more susceptible to attacks and, therefore, more likely to develop burl wood. For this reason, certain types of burl wood are more rare and prized than others. Often, a tree that has developed burl wood is still quite healthy. In fact, many trees with burl wood can go on to live for many more years. Other trees develop burl wood offshoots that are so large and heavy that they create additional stress on the tree and can cause the tree to die.
When used in woodcrafting, burl wood is removed from the tree, preferably after the tree has already died in order to avoid killing the tree. It is then cut open in order to review the pattern inside. Sometimes, a single burl wood offshoot can produce several different pieces for an artist to work with.
Some burl wood offshoots develop regular growth rings that simply grow at an accelerated rate. This type of burl wood is not as sought after by artists as other forms of burl wood, because the patterns on this wood are not as interesting to look at. The majority of woodworking artists prefer burl wood that grows in irregular patterns that swirl and contain what are referred to as eyes – small spots that develop on the wood. While pieces with unusual patterns are the most desired form of burl wood, they are also the most difficult to work with. This is because the irregular patterns of burl wood make it harder to saw, chisel, and cut without splitting the wood or accidentally cutting it in the wrong direction.
Distribution and Habitat
The species is native to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar,
Thailand and Vietnam. In the natural area of distribution,
it grows within an altitude range of 100 - 650 m
in areas with uniform rainfall regime, 1000 - 1500
mm/year, a dry season of 5-6 months, mean annual
temperature of 20 - 32ºC and an absolute minimum
temperature of 10ºC.
High levels of exploitation and habitat loss is
threatening the species and large trees are scarce and
hard to find. It is listed as an endangered species on
the IUCN World List of Threatened Trees.
Uses
The wood is highly valuable and used for many purposes,
including high quality furniture, wood carving,
and house construction. The bark is used for tanning
animal skins and the fatty cotyledons of young seeds
are edible. It has good potential for timber production
but the supply is limited and there is need for research
on improvement and management. It is nitrogen fixing
and suitable in agroforestry and for soil improvement.
Planting is carried out only on a very small scale,
mainly for genetic conservation purposes.
Botanical Description
Tree, up to 30 m. The stem has a tendency to be crooked
and forked and often produces buttresses. Leaves compound
with 3-5 pairs of leaflets; each leaflet 5-9 cm x 4-
5 cm, glabrous. Flowers small, in panicles, with 7-8
stamens up to 3 cm long.
Fruit and Seed Description
Fruit: woody pod, 15-20 cm long, 7-9 cm wide. The
pods are dehiscent but can remain for a long time on
the tree before they open.
Seed: large, shiny black or dark brown, seed coat thick;
aril large, situated at radicle end, yellow when dry.
There are 110-160 seeds per kg.
Fowering and Fruiting Habit
In Vietnam it flowers in March-April and fruiting is
in September-December. There is a masting period
every two years.