Definition: A burl is a hard, woody rounded deformity in a tree, often due to an injury to the bark.
This deformity actually shows up to a greatly beautiful effect in veneers, and burl wood is prized for its whorls and patterns. Burl wood veneers can be quite expensive and are much sought after.
In addition to veneers and surface decoration, burl wood is used in making furniture, sculpture and other decorative objects as the shapes can be quite interesting. Different woods have different types of burls, and this uniqueness adds to the interest.
