Maple Burl Turnings
Burls are the tree's response to an infection. In the wild they generally
appear as a lump on the side of the trunk. They're analogous to a benign cancer in that they are
uncontrolled growth, but they don't spread or do serious damage to the tree. The grain is really
rich and beautiful, and burl turns well. They grow here in the Pacific Northwest, so I can always
get them.
Left Mouse Click on any photo to see a larger image.
| maple burl -- 17 inch diameter, 2.5 tall The shape
of this after a huge malachite "birdbath" in the University
of Oregon's art museum. |
 |
 |
| maple burl, bocate -- 9 inch diameter, 2.5 tall
This is my first attempt at retaining the raw edge of the burl.
I was trying to create the feel of a sunflower. I'm not sure I
succeeded. This piece is for sale at the
Ashland Hardwood Gallery . |
 |
 |
 |
| maple burl -- 8 inch diameter, 7 tall I was trying for
a classic Greek shape, like a vase or the capital of a column.
However, after it was finished the shape reminded of a spittoon. In
order to sand the inside I inserted my hand while the piece is turning
on the lathe. The openning isn't large and my hand was a tight fit. |
|
| maple burl, goncolo alves -- 16 inch diameter, 5.5
tall I really liked the shape of the sunflower piece, and decided
to repeat it on a larger scale. I think it worked out. |
 |
 |
 |
| maple burl, goncolo alves, brass -- 8 inch diameter, 12.5 tall
This is a cremation urn I was commissioned to do. Not my typical project, and it was
a bit of a challenge to create a sufficent interior volume. As you can see, the lid can
be removed due to the threaded brass fitting.
|
 |
 |
 |
| walnut, maple burl -- 11.5 inch diameter, 8 tall
I had wanted to put a rough edged burl collar on top of a hollow turning for some time.
When I bought a slab from walnut crotch at an estate sale it seemed like it would make
a great base. The walnut part is completely hollowed out.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
