Spotting a large, knobbly lump growing on your tree trunk can be a worrying sight. Fortunately, there’s often no need for concern; your tree probably just has a burl.
What is a burl? What causes burls on trees? Should you schedule professional tree services in Smyrna, GA, to get them removed? Read on as we answer these and more questions to put your mind at ease.
What Is a Burl?
A burl is a large, rounded swelling found at the base, trunk, or around the branch of trees. The swelling can be smooth or rough in texture.
While tree burls can grow on any type of tree, you’ll often find them on oak, ash, walnut, elm, and maple varieties.
Why Do Burls Grow on Trees?
For the most part, burls are still a mystery, with arborists yet to precisely pinpoint their cause. They have made a few educated guesses, though.
Many credit stress as the main reason burls exist. This stress can sometimes disrupt the production of growth hormones, resulting in abnormal cell development. Instead of the tree growing a new branch, its cells divide and create a round shape that eventually becomes a burl.
Not all occurrences of tree stress end in burls. However, many experts believe that your tree could grow burls because of stress resulting from:
- Insect infestation
- Environmental injury
- Mechanical wounds
- Fungal infection
- Mistletoe growth
- Drought
- Fire damage
Are Burls a Danger to Your Tree?
Now that you know what causes burls on trees, the next step is to figure out whether they are a threat to your tree. The short answer is no, burls are nothing more than harmless growths.
In fact, burl wood is a sought-after commodity, especially among furniture manufacturers looking to create custom or unique designs from a burl’s interesting colors and unusual grain patterns.
So, as unsightly as the burl might look, you often have nothing to worry about. If anything, removing the growth could end up doing more damage to your tree.
Is It a Good Idea To Remove the Burl?
Nothing comes close to the appeal and charm a healthy, beautiful tree brings to your Smyrna property, which is why many homeowners go to great lengths to ensure their trees maintain a uniform appearance. Unfortunately, burls can get in the way of that.
Have you noticed a large, lumpy growth on your tree’s trunk? Even if you’re unsure what causes burls on trees, your instinct will often be to remove them. This, however, is never ideal.
Removing the burl will leave a large open wound that invites pests and diseases. Before you know it, your once healthy tree could be on the brink of death. Even if the wound manages to heal before pests invade, your tree will still be left with a large, ugly scar.
Since burls are never harmful to your tree, the best thing to do is to leave them untouched. Who knows, the burl might even turn out to be quite valuable in the long run.
Need a Second Opinion? Call Southern Tree Pros for a Consultation
Do you want to know what causes burls on trees and whether the growths you see are harmful to your tree? We’ve got a team of seasoned professionals ready to answer any question you have.
They’ll visit your property and assess your tree, helping you determine whether the tree is in danger and what the best course of action is.
From nursing trees back to health or protecting trees in summer, you’ll never go wrong leaving your tree’s care in our capable hands. Call Southern Tree Pros today at (770) 841-1684.
