Enormous Oak Burl

[Woods Witch]

Hello everyone...I've been given permission to harvest a very large burl growing on an oak tree. I've always wanted to make a large bowl. My question is whether or not I'm biting off more than I can chew. When I say "large", I'm talking probably 4' x 4'. I know it'll weigh a ton, I'm sure it'll take a very long time to dry as well. Does anyone have any experience with something on this scale? Or any ideas on what to do with the burl? I'm really obsessing over this thing ever since I found it while mushroom hunting. It's a completely different kind of project for me, I don't want to get my husband to get it for me and find that it's more than I can handle! Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!
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[Keoma]

Wow! Thats amazing! The man to ask would be Howard Lobb. He's on here lots and he does phenominal bowls. I am getting ready to work an Oak Burl too, so I am interested in whatever your steps you take. Mine was harvested for me, it fell off right next to me as I drove by
Does this burl wrap around the tree? It will make an amazing bowl. It's best to hog out a lot of the meat while it is still green, that I know, since when oak is dry it is like rocks - it cracks and chips instead of nice cuts...especially burl, but man, I bet you'll get some good wood out of that, bowl or no.
Good to meet you!

[Donsexton]

You bet 4'x4' oak is heavy fresh wood or not it will weigh 600 pounds or more. I don't make bowls but I do work with large hunks of oak. I don't allow for curing before I carve the wood. Even dry hard oak is no match for quality sharp tools.

[Woods Witch]

it doesn't wrap entirely around the tree, but kind of tapers slightly as it hugs the tree. 600lbs! really have to brainstorm how to move it! any ideas other than a bowl??? thanks for all suggestions

[Ashbys]

As large as it is , you have a lot of options, table, turtles, burls can be fun and beautiful pieces. It will be heavy and could take 1 -4 years to dry depending on if it stays in one piece or you split it . Either way be safe handeling it.

Ash

[chuckbolton]

bath tub?-- punch bowl- watering through for livestock? i can see lots of uses.

good luck-- should be an educational experience.

[LisaS]

With a nice finish it could be a coffee table base with a clear top, whether you enhance the shape with carving or not.

[Woods Witch]

how cool would a bath tub be!!! thank you for the suggestion to hog out alot of the wood while it's wet....do I have to wait until it's dry to get it to the final shape? I don't mean to sound dumb, but if it's got tight crossgraining, won't it be a little resistant to crack?

[seangrady]

These folks made a sink out of one alot smaller than that: Items Currently for Sale

scroll about halfway down the page to see it.

I'm thinking you should slab a couple of pieces for tabletops and then have a more manageable piece to carve into a shallow bowl/tray/plate.

[jmischel]

I agree with seangrady. It'd be a shame to waste more of that burl than you have to. Just thinking of you hogging out all that lovely wood so you can have a bathtub makes me cringe. Oh, the things I could carve from even a little 2" x 2" piece . . .

In all seriousness, it looks like a great find. I'm glad you're taking time to research thoroughly. I just know that whatever you come up will be beautiful.