White Birch Burl

[Rich Aldrich]

I have this rather large white birch burl. I am looking for some guidance as to how to cut it up into bowl blanks. The burl growth off the side of the tree is about 22" diameter and 6 -7" thick. the tree diameter is about 12".

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I also took a picture of my turning pile. My dad and the family business was a great source of hardwood this year because he had a hardwood sale to cut.

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And then there is the family dog, a Pembrook Welsh Corgi. He is a fluffy, having a fur coat 4 times the thickness as normal and frowned upon by the AKC because of being a fluffy.

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[David E Keller]

That's a good looking burl there... Looks like there may be another small one in the background.

I usually cut across the log at intervals approaching the burl until I get into the figure... Sometimes, if you're lucky, it will extend well into the normal appearing portion of the tree. Once I know the margins of the figure, I cut for a particular project if I've got something in mind. If not, I'd double anchor seal any cut surfaces until I had something figured out for it. If you want a large bowl, using a template to choose the location for the bowl will help you plan for maximum utilization of the remainder of the burl.

I'm looking forward to seeing this one finished.

[Gene Hintze]

You are a lucky man. Burl and a Corgy. Cutting burl can be a puzzle but eventually you just have to fire up the saw and trust your instincts. It's all good in there. I sawed up a maple burl today and it turned out fine. Four nice natural edge rough outs carved off the side of the log and I still have the whole interior of the piece which should yield about four more blanks. After all I do need something to do on Sunday afternoon with no football to watch. Give that dog a pat on the head for me. He's a good friend I'll bet.

[David DeCristoforo]

My first cut would be right down the middle of that log, from "top to bottom". Then you can see if the burl figure goes into the limb wood.

[kevin nee]

Birch Burl is my all time favorite wood!! Take your time
Think about what you want to make. I use the little I have
for feature rings on segmented projects. You won't believe
what this stuff looks like. GOOD LUCK

[Bob Bergstrom]

+1 here. Cut down the pith and see what the center looks like. Then work your way out toward the perimeter. Once into a burl it is hard not to make a good cut. The figure goes everywhere. It comes down to having a idea of what you want at the end, natural edge, eyes, or rays going up the side of a bowl. Don't worry there be another one along eventually.:D

[Steve Schlumpf]

I agree with Bob - cut it down through the pith and see what you have to play with. After that it is just a matter of cutting it up into the size blanks you want. Each burl is different and you really never know what is inside until you cut it up. Besides - if it is something you really like turning - you can have your Dad pick up some more of them for you!

Have fun! Looking forward to seeing what you turn out of it!

[Rich Aldrich]

Thanks for the advise. I probably won't get to it until next weekend, so that gives me some time to figure out what to make from it.