Beach Erosion Bowl is a Maple burl cap that is 9 Inches in diameter by 2.5 inches high. I am happy with the rough outer natural edge and the smooth interior with the flowing grain. It reminds me of the pattern left by water rushing over beach sand.
I like to look at a raw piece of wood and think about the best way to represent the character of the material in a finished product. Here the block of Burl exhibited so many unusual organic features that the rule “less is more” was the path to take. At first glance the approach could be to make a beautiful bowl with finished edges. This would suite the tastes of many people. My approach here was to emphasize the natural features of the wood leaving the edges unfinished just as the tree grew.
Burl Wood
I am certain that you have heard the term Burl Wood many times. There are a lot of misconceptions about the wood. It is that bump that you may notice on a tree trunk. Sometimes it appears at the base as a massive growth starting at ground level. It is not clear why these growths appear, but it seems to be a defense mechanism the tree provides after being attacked by insects or suffering from storm damage. It is not a tree cancer and does not harm the tree in any way. The grain of tree fibers typically grow in straight lines parallel to the length of the tree. In a burl the grain direction is random and these patterns make this wood highly sought after.
Here is another item featuring the unique characteristics of Burl. Stunning Cherry Burl Platter
Gift Ideas
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Studio
I design all my items including this Beach Erosion Bowl in my studio in Montvale, New Jersey, USA.