Thread: Burl Hunting *** Caution, Naked Timber*** Scenes of Brutality***

Originally Posted by Willy Nelson

Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen


I normally hide in the bush, armed with typically a 660 magnum chainsaw. My kids, the dogs and motorbikes acts as beaters and drive the burls to the hide I have fashioned in the habitat. I may have to lie in wait for a long time, but it is worth it. Any movement by me may spook the burls and all our efforts go to waste. Patience is the key here. As they approach, I then normally smite them with a powerfull blow of the chainsaw, despatching them quickly and humanely as possible. My daughter owns a 009, any that escape my big chopper, are rounded up with the 009 which is a little smaller and more agile
Jarrahland

hi willy,
i think i have said it before,but you have a great sense of humor
what a great weekend that would be out in the bush with your family
it does'nt get any better than that,,,,and all those burls........
lucky man,thanks for showing
cheers smiife

Hi Willie & Family,
The Photo of the Suzuki name there in P 2. What are the Trees in the back ground. Should be good for Spindle Work.

My Granddad (RIP) was a woodcutter most of his life in the Norseman/Dundas area cutting on the woodlines and later underground timbers for the mines. In his later years he started to harvest the burls off the trees. When he passed away the old Gem shop he and Nan owned had a stash of them no correction make that a HUGE stash of burl slices, I'm talking hundreds. Some were almost 2mtrs across, most 1/2 - 1mtr. All gone now. Not sure if they were stolen or nan got ripped off etc. Mum managed to save me about 3 small burls. Such a shame. Just hope they didnt end up being firewood.

I do know of several cache's of burl laden trees but some of them are in protected conservation woodlands. Others, well, suffice to say, they are waiting for me to purchase a bigger saw!

Shawn

Great post Willy Very jealous of all the birdseye burls . Plenty of burl around here too but it's all resin rubbish

Does the daughter turn them too or just like using the saw???

Originally Posted by issatree

Hi Willie & Family,
The Photo of the Suzuki name there in P 2. What are the Trees in the back ground. Should be good for Spindle Work.

All trees on the property are York gums

Originally Posted by TTIT

Great post Willy Very jealous of all the birdseye burls . Plenty of burl around here too but it's all resin rubbish

Does the daughter turn them too or just like using the saw???

Vern
She just loves going bush, using a chainsaw, driving a 4WD and helping people, she is a little darling, and just turned 15

Willy

Excellent thread and bringing the family in on the act too. I don't know York Gum, but it looks interesting.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Nice score . Definitely on my list to call in as I pass next summer

Yes harvesting the burls presents no harm to the tree, provided the cut is sealed to prevent infection, I use my end sealer.

As an arborist, I find this to be a curious statement. Cutting a tree for ANY reason DOES cause harm to the tree. The tree now has to expend energy in an attempt to "seal" up the wound. Trees can't do this fast enough, so there is always some amount of decay. The larger the wound in comparison to the trunk diameter, the larger the decay.

Also, it has been shown time and again that sealing pruning cuts creates a perfect environment ...for bacteria and fungus! It really is best to not seal pruning cuts. Let the area dry out.

Take it easy on the trees.

-Nick Araya
ISA Certified Arborist


love
nick

Hello Nick
Thanks for your input. Always good to from a proffessional. Further, I stated that I prefer to do this in winter as the tree is dormant, but it is the time of year most likely to get rain. Is this the best time to cut a burl off a tree? The other reason is the burls don't initially dry out as quick, cooler, saw and operator work better

Willy
Jarrahland

Originally Posted by TreeClimberNick

...it has been shown time and again that sealing pruning cuts creates a perfect environment ...for bacteria and fungus! It really is best to not seal pruning cuts. Let the area dry out.

Well there you go. I'm certainly no expert, my advise is based on that given to me by 3 different qualified arborists around here, but it was a while ago. Have opinions changed?

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Well there you go. I'm certainly no expert, my advise is based on that given to me by 3 different qualified arborists around here, but it was a while ago. Have opinions changed?

I spoke to an arborist a few weeks back regarding pruning back a large fruit tree. I asked should it be sealed as I remembered Don Burke (who was an arborist) saying on his TV Show he put some pruning clay or some muck to protect the cut tree. The guy said that was old school and no longer the practice. So I think the times & opinions may have changed.

Originally Posted by Willy Nelson

... I stated that I prefer to do this in winter as the tree is dormant, but it is the time of year most likely to get rain. Is this the best time to cut a burl off a tree?

That part I can't answer. We'd need someone with a knowledge of your local trees. Some folks recommend making big cuts while the trees are dormant, some while they are actively growing, some while it is dry out. When I look at the trees around Los Angeles, it varies specie by specie.

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Well there you go. I'm certainly no expert, my advise is based on that given to me by 3 different qualified arborists around here, but it was a while ago. Have opinions changed?

They indeed have.

love
nick

Originally Posted by kiwiatgundy

Wonder if they make portable lathes..........

Arrrhhh ... there's them's what sez they do ...

Originally Posted by pmcgee

Arrrhhh ... there's them's what sez they do ...

You just need a farm fence to set up the lathe .

I have not seen a drawknife fixed at one end before (6min 45s). Also I had some trepidation that the girl attempting to split a wattle stick would lose a body part.

Regards
Paul