Have you ever walked through the woods and noticed a large, knotted growth on the side of a tree? That curious formation may be a burl, one of nature’s most fascinating surprises.
Burls form when a tree responds to stress caused by insects, disease, or environmental changes. The outside may appear rough or decayed, but inside lies extraordinary beauty.
The grain twists and turns, creating intricate patterns and voids. This unpredictable grain makes burl wood especially challenging to work, requiring exceptional skill, patience, and a deep respect for the material.
When our woodworkers begin hand-turning a burl, their process slows down considerably. Burl wood varies in density from soft bark inclusions to dense concentrations of growth, so every cut must be intentional. There’s a quiet rhythm to shaping a burl—listening to the wood, adjusting the approach, and allowing it to reveal itself gradually. No two burls behave the same, and that’s what makes them so special.
Until a finished piece is gently coated in our Refined Walnut Wood Oil and ready to take its place in the Burl Gallery, its final appearance remains a mystery. What may arrive at our workshop as an unassuming growth ultimately becomes a one-of-a-kind artistic piece, full of character, story, and natural wonder.
Explore our collection of one-of-a-kind burl bowls and experience the beauty that only nature can create.