ST. LOUIS — Have you ever wondered what those balls growing on trees are? Well, you’re not alone. They could be quite valuable if you know what to look for.
Those mysterious bulbous growths on trees that most people ignore could be hiding treasure inside. These wooden formations, also known as burls, are valuable to many artisans and can fetch thousands of dollars.
These woody knobs form when trees experience stress from injuries, diseases, or insect attacks. The tree responds by producing dense, twisted wood grain patterns that furniture makers and artists covet for creating one-of-a-kind pieces like table tops, wall panels, and decorative bowls.
While burls might look concerning to homeowners, experts say they don’t harm the tree’s health. However, removing them improperly can create open wounds that invite disease. Professional harvesting requires cutting down the entire tree and carefully preserving the burl wood.
The rarest and most valuable burls come from old-growth trees, where decades or even centuries of growth create especially dramatic patterns. This has led to a dark side of the burl trade – poaching from protected forests. Authorities warn that burl wood should only be purchased from legitimate salvage operations.
The next time you spot one of these woody “tumors” on a tree, remember: that odd-looking bump could be harboring natural art worth more than you might expect. Just don’t try harvesting it yourself.