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View Full Version : Cherry Galls Ever turn any?



Denny Nebgen
01-20-2022, 10:37 AM
I have a couple cherry galls here and I'm wondering if they will be good for turning? Are the insides similar to burls of mostly hollow? Anyone have any experience with them?
Thanks

Richard Coers
01-20-2022, 9:35 PM
I saw your post on AAW forum and there seems to be some nomenclature issues there. What do you call a gall? Are you asking about a burl, an over growth of a broken off limb, or the gall mention there that is an insect growth?

Denny Nebgen
01-20-2022, 11:01 PM
A gall (at least on a cherry) is a growth that looks similar to a burl but, usually grows up higher on the stem of the tree.

Russell Neyman
01-21-2022, 7:58 AM
I cored and turned a huge madrone gall and it was, indeed, rather decayed in the center. (I repaired the voids with sawdust and epoxy.) In the end, I had four nice bowls with wormhole-like voids throughout. My thought is to chuck up the cherry and go for it.

My general impression is that galls are caused by disease, while burls are an abnormal growth. I plan to follow this discussion closely.

Richard Coers
01-21-2022, 11:32 PM
A gall (at least on a cherry) is a growth that looks similar to a burl but, usually grows up higher on the stem of the tree.
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/galls/cherry-gall-wasp

Don Stephan
01-23-2022, 6:33 PM
My understanding of a gall is a small roundish protruberence on the surface or underside of a leaf surrounding an insect larva.

If a branch of a tree is cut off properly, next to but leaving the branch bark collar, over time the cells in the collar will grow over the branch stub, creating a "bump" on the surface of the tree looking like a small burl. Cut one off flush with the surface of the tree and you are likely to find the stub of that branch. I have one from a cherry tree log that was given me when the tree had to be dropped. After cutting it off flush with the surrounding surface of the tree, laying the sawn surface on the bandsaw table and cutting it in half, it is a great way to show people how the branch bark collar can grow over cut branches.

Richard Coers
01-24-2022, 5:39 PM
Galls that form on the branches are caused by bacteria. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/cherry/what-is-cherry-tree-gall.htm

Denny Nebgen
02-01-2022, 10:34 PM
I turned this small cherry gall and added resin to fill in some low spots in the gall. Just made a small vase. Came out really nice though, I think.