“Pearls” in burl wood means the eyes and swirling grain revealed by cutting—not a pattern you can reliably identify from a burl’s lumpy exterior. Species can offer clues, but the practical way to check for eyes is to slice a thin piece from the top of wood you have permission to use. Start with a downed tree: removing a burl from a living tree may damage it and is not recommended.
What are the “pearls” in a burl?
A burl is a rounded, woody swelling that may grow on a trunk, root, or branch. Woodworkers value some burls for irregular internal grain: eyes, swirls, or a mix of patterns that become visible when the wood is cut. The grain’s appearance also changes with the direction of the cut.
A burl’s cause is often uncertain. The University of Maryland Extension lists possible triggers including insects, bacteria, fungi, mistletoes, and environmental injury, but says the cause of most burls cannot be explained. Its overview is available in “Burls” (updated February 28, 2023).
Can you tell what figure is inside from the outside?
No. A swelling may be a promising place to look, but its exterior cannot guarantee a particular internal pattern. WOOD Magazine describes the patterns and the way a cut affects their appearance in “Figuring Out Figure: Burl”.
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#1 Best Overall
- Shining and Cleared
- Made up of Olive
- Contains 2 Cross Pieces in a set
- Length of Each Piece is 20 inches, width differs according to design (minimum 10 inches when combined)
- Depth of Wood is 1 inch
Use species as a clue, not a promise
WOOD Magazine says eye figure can generally be expected in maple, cherry, ash, and walnut burls. Swirling grain is typical of mulberry, gum, and birch. These are tendencies, not a reliable prediction for any individual piece.
Check for eyes with a thin slice
WOOD Magazine’s practical guidance is to take a thin slice from the top of the burl to see whether eye figure is present. That means cutting wood you are entitled to use; it is not a reason to cut into a living tree. Even this small inspection does not promise that every part of the burl will show the same figure.
Rank #2
- Shining and Cleared
- Made up of Olive
- Contains 2 Cross Pieces in a set
- Length of Each Piece is 20 inches, width differs according to design (minimum 10 inches when combined)
- Depth of Wood is 1 inch
Choose a burl you can acquire responsibly
Look first for a burl on a downed tree, and obtain permission before taking wood from land you do not own or control. WOOD Magazine’s harvesting advice is specifically about permitted material from a downed tree. University of Maryland Extension warns that burl removal may damage a living tree and is not recommended. Read its tree-care guidance before considering any removal.
For a candidate piece, assess its visible size and condition, the likely figure you want, and whether its shape and cut will provide enough usable material for your project. The internal pattern remains uncertain until the wood is cut, so treat species and exterior appearance as clues rather than guarantees.
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- Cleared, Sanded and Varnished
- Made up of Olive Roots
- Set is ideal for 16” x 20” Projects
- Thickness 1” and 1.7”
Prepare and store permitted downed material
Leave extra trunk around the burl
For a trunk burl, WOOD Magazine recommends cutting an oversize section with at least 6 inches of trunk above and below it. Keeping the burl attached to that extra wood can help limit rapid drying and checking; avoid slicing the burl away from the trunk when feasible. If a section is too heavy to handle, the guide describes cutting through the pith to reduce its size.
Rough-size, seal, and protect the wood
If you plan to use the material soon, the guide recommends rough-sizing it into rounds, blocks, boards, or veneers. For boards, it advises cutting 25 percent thicker than the desired finished thickness to allow for drying distortion. Seal exposed end grain to slow moisture loss, then store oversize pieces outside, off the ground, and protected from direct sun and rain.
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Use drying estimates as rough guidance
WOOD Magazine gives about 12 weeks in warm air as an example for small rounds and blocks under 1½ inches thick or boards under ¾ inch thick; thicker pieces may take up to 6 months. These are general estimates, not a guaranteed schedule: drying time varies with temperature and humidity.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Prepare a burl round for turning
For turning, professional woodturner Bruce Hoover’s guidance in WOOD Magazine is to flatten the back and round the outside of a burl round. For a large log section, the guide describes using a chainsaw to remove the back half when needed, then using a cardboard disc as a guide while rounding the piece on a bandsaw. Hoover also suggests waiting about four weeks before turning so the wood can release some moisture and reduce distortion risk. These are practical suggestions, not mandatory standards.
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For the full harvesting and preparation guidance, see WOOD Magazine’s “How To Find Pearls In Burls”, updated December 19, 2024.
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