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Burl is the knobby growth most commonly seen at base of some coast redwoods, though it can also be found high in the canopy as well. Burl is a woody material full of unsprouted bud tissue. If the redwood falls or is damaged, the burl may sprout another redwood tree known as a clone.
Burl wood is relatively rare, which also means a higher price point than regular lumber. Similar to slabs of natural stone, like marble, no two burl patterns are alike, and the different stressors and age contribute to the beauty of each piece. They also take years (like 50) to produce, and they’re naturally occurring, not farmed. Historically speaking, burl has been used as an inlay or a veneer for certain “status” purchases - the dashboard inside a Rolls-Royce, for example.
Once cut from a tree, your burl can grow redwood shoots for years! These are a great novelty item to remind you of your trip to Redwood Country. Live Burls can survive in any state in the US, just keep the temperature moderate, avoid too much sunlight, and give your live burl plenty of water – that’s all they need to thrive. If your burl begins to root (typically six months to a year), plant them and you'll have your very own redwood tree!
Most of our carvings are sealed with McCloskey's Marine Spar Varnish (Satin). We thin it with varying degrees of mineral spirits, and this is the reason each our carvings look/feel a little different. We believe that oil-based finishes hold up better in the elements of nature, but if you happen to buy an unfinished carving, there are some good water-based finishes as well.
There are numerous oil-based finishes, depending on the look that you want. The brand is not as important as just remembering that oil and water DO NOT mix. If you buy a carving with an oil-based finish, you need to stick with oil-based finishes in the future. If your carving is kept outside (full sun/rain), you'll want to coat it at least twice a year to enhance the longevity of it.
