Wood
As a material, wood is full of surprises, the most striking of which is burl. The latter denotes galls that are sometimes visible on tree trunks, which are caused by insect bites, wounds and plant parasites.
For some scientists, trees may have a genetic predisposition to forming such burls. Regardless, certain trees are more likely to develop these reactions, resulting in random natural shapes. Each tree species forms its own specific burl.
Burl, which is used as a veneer, was developed considerably during the nineteenth century through machine veneer cutting techniques. Even now, the very same machines produce some veneers made from sawed burl.
By its very nature, burl offers an array of uses. First and foremost, for design aesthetics, but also as a hybrid of botany and cabinet making.
