Burl hunting

[Yotehntr]

Well me and a friend Bobby went out and did a little coyote hunting today...no luck but then we did a little burl hunting. Got 2, a Black gum  and a sweet gum. The black gum is about 24" across the sweet gum is 11" got 'em all anchor sealed before the pic but I think ya'll see what'll be coming. My wife says it looks like a salad bowl!  That's an 18" bar on my saw he was cutting it with his 28" bar.

[John_NY]

I can see some pretty calls coming out of that. How long before you can use the wood?

John

[harvey8542]

Please excuse my ignorance but doesn't this kill the tree? Also would this be legal to do if it doesn't kill the tree on public land? I know where some great maple burls are.

[Yotehntr]

I'm not sure John, I just started using the Anchor seal. Rob (from burlsource.com) has been giving me quite a few tips on dealing with the burls. I recently lost about 1/2 of my cherry burls and that's why the anchor seal. You really have to slow the process more with burls than regular wood. I've sent him more questions on this stuff. I'm sure a lot has to do with your location and humidity levels where you live. Rob joined this site a while back but left for Australia on a "business trip" so hasn't had a chance to get on here much. I'll try to prod him on a little. He's where I buy most of my real nice Aussie burls from, great folks to deal with.
Harvey I've read both sides of the fence on that one. I would guess that it would be no different from cutting/pruning a limb off myself. I actually stopped a forest ranger a couple years ago and asked permission to cut a burl off a dead tree... I got a big no. I've also done a search on the web on that subject and seen where charges have been pressed for burl theft. I would definitely ask permission before I went cutting burls. These came off private property where we had permission.

[BigB]

Sweet find!  You are so lucky with finding those burls.  I'm always on the lookout for them when I am in the woods, but can never find one.  I'd be interested too in learning how to properly dry them.

Brian

[HaMeR]

Burls?? Did someone mention Burls?? 

[squirrelhunterjay]

i was doing the same thing this weekend, looking for dogs and burls.  no dogs but some burls.  I still have about 650 acres of my property to search so im hoping to find some good ones 

[Yotehntr]

I can't say what is the best way Brian. I was told that it's ok to cut them up as long as I anchor seal them and cover with plastic. No wind and no sunlight it'll take quite a while to dry but won't loose them to cracking. What kind is that Hammer? I think you need to cut that off and ship it my way! 

[Yotehntr]

I cut the whole thing off in one straight cut. I anchor sealed the place where I cut it off and then you have a choice of letting it dry through the bark...very slow or you can cut it into blank sizes. If the latter from what I understand anchor seal them and keep them out of the sunlight and wind and let 'em dry.  I'm no pro at this now, just trying to follow directions myself.

[BigB]

So, if you blank them up, are you covering the whole thing with anchor seal?

I haven't used anchor seal, so I'm gonna throw out a newbie question about using it.  If you cover the whole blank with anchor seal, will that prevent it from drying, similar to coating the whole blank in wax?


Brian

[Yotehntr]

I had the same question Brian, from my understanding it will allow some moisture through, just slower.

[Bad Dogs]

Yotehntr is going to make me jump in...he seems like a good guy never the less!! Anchorseal will allow moisture to leave the wood, wax will not. If you buy wood with wax on it take it off except for the ends, or it will never dry, period. It is not permeable. Anchorseal will allow moisture to escape, in a controlled manner and somewhat evenly. At the very least seal the ends and maybe about 1" or so up the sides of the blank, the ends will be the first to split. I buy my Anchorseal from a company in New York, in the 5 gallon bucket, a lot cheaper than the small quarts you will buy at Woodcraft supply or??? If you don't need 5 gallons, maybe split it up amongst some buddies who do the same thing. A bucket is about 60.00 bucks, or 12.00 gallon, the stores get 12.00 a quart.

[HaMeR]

I don't know what that is Brad. It's on WMA land here & it's only about 40feet from the road. I think I'll just let it grow.    That thing is actually bigger than it looks too. It's huge. 

[Yotehntr]

  I don't know what your talking about Rob!   Welcome aboard!!!  If these guys ever get a look at the burls you sell you won't have time to be on here anymore though.


Hammer if that's on WMA land I believe it'd stay there...unless you can get permission from a game warden..

[builderone]

I like the anchor seal it does work good.   
Hamer if you are going to get that one, you better wear a ninja suit.   
I asked here in NY and they said if it was a downed tree I could get it but I would have to pay the going rate.  In my opinion I pay the taxes and pay the hunting fees every year it is kind of your tree aint it.   
 
Chad