Highly Figured Sugar Maple Burl

I obtained a large sugar maple burl from a customer. The burl was solid with great shape and bark, and it wrapped most of the way around the log. The burl is about 17" in diameter and is shown in the following image.

I cut the burl perpendicular to the axis of the tree (log) into two halves in preparation for two end grain bowls. The next gallery of photos shows the process of turning the first half into a bowl that measures 17x14x6" with a 1/2" wall thickness. Click on the first image in the gallery to enter in a full screen slide show with captions.

The burl piece on lathe

Another view of the burl

End view of burl on lathe

The outer profile of the bowl

View of the bottom of bowl

View of the hollowed bowl

Side view of bowl

The next gallery shows the process of turning the second half of the burl into a bowl. This bowl is slightly larger than the first half and measures 17x15x7" with a 1/2" wall thickness. Click on the first image in the gallery to enter in a full screen slide show with captions.

Burl piece on the lathe

Another view of burl on lathe

Tail stock view of burl

Another view of profile

Profile of bowl

Top view of bowl

Side view of bowl

Fresh turned bowl

I really like the way these bowls came out. This burl was very solid with great bark that was not lose or broken. These bowls were turned end grain as you can tell in the images so the pith or center of the log is in the bottom of each bowl. You can see this in some of the images. This is always an area of concern as the bowl dries and can develop radial cracks. I have saturated these areas with CA glue (thin viscosity). I also applied CA glue to the area just below the bark (cambium layer) to keep the bark attached to the bowl. I watch the bowls carefully as they dry and am ready to apply CA glue to any small developing cracks. I also control the temperature and humidity during drying. These bowls will take about 2 months to dry enough for sanding and returning the outer bottom.