Masur "Ice Burl"
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.
Description
A deciduous tree up to 100' in native areas, but more generally 40' to 60' tall and 20' to 40' wide, pyramidal when young and oval/pyramidal when mature. Generally somewhat pendulous branches at all ages, but main trunk is upright.
Rapid growth for first 20 years and mature at 40 years.
Alternate, dark green simple leaves, 1" to 3" long by 0.75" to 1.5" wide, tapered apex, wedge-shaped base, doubly serrate margins, leaf surfaces dotted with glands; lack pubescence.
Autumn Foliage yellow or yellow-green
Flowers bloom in April, but catkins visible before then, male catkins in mostly twos, but singly or in three's; 1.5" to 3.5" long, female catkins 0.75" to 1.25" long.
The fruit are small nutlets held in cylindrical catkins.
The bark on the main trunk and large branches is white with prominent black vertical fissures; very showy whereas the young twigs are quite warty and brown in colour.
Max age 60 - 80 years.
Timber
A lustrous white to pale fawn in colour and easily worked. It is straight-grained, flexible and tough but not very strong.
Masur, ice or flame birch displays distinctive figuring which makes it useful for turning and veneers.
Trees in Britain are commonly rotten in the centre reducing usefulness.