MAST Exhibit: Maple Burl Bowl

Burls, or the odd bumps on the side of a tree, are highly prized by wood turners.  Brian works with the natural shape of the burl to create a unique and unusual bowl.

Turning the burl on the lathe uncovers the intertwining dark heartwood, the lighter sapwood and the bark deep within the burl.  The final form is revealed after turning, sanding, buffing and polishing, with beautiful results.

This maple burl bowl is on display at the Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour exhibit at the Summit Centre until July 16th, 2012.  For more information go to:

www.muskokaautumnstudiotour.com

Yellow Birch Burl-From Burl to Bowl

The process of making a bowl is most rewarding when it begins with cutting the burl from the tree.  A call from a woman in Novar about a dead yellow birch tree with an enormous burl on it was followed up with Brian's visit with the chainsaw.  This 3 foot section is just part of the total burl.



The burl was too large to turn on the inner section of the lathe so after the faceplate was attached, it was mounted on the outboard side of the lathe.  It weighed about 100 pounds.

With a very sharp gouge, Brian turned off the outer bark and shaped the bottom of the bowl.

The figuring and spalting of the bowl was revealed as it was shaped and buffed.

Burls are irregular growths that naturally occur on trees with variations in colour, grain and bark inclusions.  Brian turned the inside of the bowl, buffed it and gave it many coats of a food-safe finish.



Yellow Birch Burl Bowl

The finished yellow birch bowl is exceptional with a natural edge, beautiful figuring and a graceful shape.  The original owners of the tree visited Brian's workshop and decided that it must return to their home.  Their excitement as they left the workshop with the finished bowl was satisfying as they could truly appreciate the process from burl to bowl.