Alaska's Tree Tumors

May 21, 2008 Arcticulates ® Focusing on Alaska's Beauty Author: K. Fields Alaska's Tree Tumors We have a natural, growth phenomena on our trees in Alaska. They are called burls, and they are odd shaped woody growths on the trunks of our Spruce, Birch, and a few other types of trees. You can find them easily in the wooded areas, which is just about all of Alaska. Some people refer to them as tumors. Small Spruce Tree With Burls Growing Photo by K. Fields A burl is a deformed growth that are mostly found on the trunks of the trees, sometimes the branches. It can be caused by an injury, which happens often to the trees in the area where I live, because they grow so closely together that their branches damage each other during high winds And the wildlife can also damage some trees, other reasons could be an infection in the tree under the bark, insect infestation, fungus or it could just be where a branch has never matured. Black Spruce With Burls All The Way up The Trunk Photo By K. Fields Burls can be anywhere in size from the size of the knuckle on one of your fingers, up to hundreds of pounds, and some could be as large as 4 ft I have friends who removed one from a tree that was 6 foot tall and about 4 foot round. It was huge! Then they sliced the burl up and dried it out, then sanded it till smooth and covered it with wood sealer and lots of coats of varnish, and used them for table tops. They are stunningly beautiful! Sliced Spruce Burl Table Top With Peeled Aspen Burl Legs Photo By K. Fields The burls do not seem to have any effect on the growth of the trees, they grow normally and live a long time, unless the burl has grown so big that the weight can cause the tree to break or die. But since we seem to have a plethora of them where I live, they are used for all sorts of things, banisters on staircases, mailbox poles, decorative pillars on porches, and deck fencing. The wood is prized because of the unique shapes and ring patterns of swirls and twirls. Duck Made With Burls and Willow Branches For The Wings Photo By Steve Fields But some of them are just too old and rotted out to use for anything useful, but that doesn't stop Alaskans from having a little fun with them Baby Moose Made With Spruce Burls With Wobbly Legs of Aspen Tree Burls Photo by Steve Fields Hermit Crab Photo By Steve Fields Bear Photo By Steve Fields Caribou Photo By Steve Fields Mosquito Photo by Steve Fields This burl mosquito has been claimed to be a real close size of the Alaska mosquito. :) Later... K Fields See also: Car... Moose...Calamity Digg This Please Hey! Please Stumble It! Add to Technorati Favorites Please Rate at Blogged! Mixx it Please! Engage This Please Kudo Me! You are welcome to comment in the box below. Please keep in mind that this is a child friendly site. Thank You! I look forward to meeting you and reading your thoughts.

Return to: Arcticulates' Home Archives Author: K. Fields Alaska, USA I live in Northern Alaska! Hence the unique spelling of my blog title. I love Alaska! It can be a challenging place to live, but... the beauty that surrounds me makes it all worth while. This blog/website is my opinion or views on what I hear, or see, on just about anything! Mixed with some genuine facts! Did you know that you can have all the new Arcticulates' posts sent directly to your email or favorite RSS feeder? All you have to do is click on Arcticulates' Feed for this free service. Thank-you! Arcticulates' Feed Recent Posts! Oil...Alaska's Liquid Gold Whooo Loves Owls Triumphant Harvest Garden Raiders Magnificent Eagles Hockey! Junior Style Mt Redoubt Erupt ?? Alaska Au Naturale Ice Fishing! Most Popular Posts! Magnificent Eagles Grizzly Situation! Glimpse of Autumn! High One or Not! Other Areas! Cooking in Alaska Reviews Links / Blogroll Alaska Jokes Archives Arcticulates' Disclosure Policy

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