You’re used to seeing tree trunks with uniform surfaces, so spotting a large lump on your tree’s trunk can be concerning. What you’re seeing is likely a burl and, despite its strange look, is quite harmless. In fact, burls are sought-after raw materials for high-end furniture.

But what are burls? Do you need to schedule professional tree services in Dunwoody, GA, to remove them? Read on as we answer these and more questions.

What Are Burls, and How Do They Form?

Burls are bulbous growths that develop on a tree’s trunk or branches. They’re usually the result of stress, which disrupts the tree’s normal growth.

While arborists are still trying to understand exactly how stress causes burls on trees, they’ve managed to pinpoint some of the triggers. Here are the main factors that lead to burl growth on trees.

Physical Trauma

While your tree’s trunk is strong enough to withstand a lot, some events can cause significant damage that could lead the tree to develop a burl.

Tree Diseases

Burls could also develop due to tree diseases and fungal infections. Even if the tree is able to fight off the disease and recover, the stress it experiences can disrupt its usual growth patterns.

Insect Infestations

Like diseases, pest infestations are extremely stressful to your tree. As such, the pests feeding on the tree’s wood and foliage could cause a portion of the trunk to bulge out.

What To Do About Burls

Now that you know about the possible causes of burls on trees, the next thing to determine is what to do about them. Are they a threat to your tree, and should you cut them off as soon as possible?

Despite the shock and concern you probably had when you first saw a burl growing on your tree, it’ll surprise you to learn that burls are harmless. In fact, trying to remove the burl could cause a lot more harm to the tree.

Cutting off a burl tends to damage the cambium layer, which is a delicate surface beneath the bark. When this happens, you risk creating a serious wound that your tree might not recover from. This is why arborists advise against trying to remove burls.

There’s another reason why you should leave the burl as is. The wood is actually quite popular and valuable because no two burls are the same. Therefore, when it’s time to say goodbye to the tree, you could repurpose the burl wood and create some truly unique furniture.

Learn More About Burls From ATL Tree Work

Do you want to know more about what causes burls on trees and what their presence means? Reach out to ATL Tree Work today.

We’ll do more than just help you understand the common reasons for abnormal tree growth, such as burls. We’ll also conduct a thorough assessment, checking for signs that a tree needs to be removed. Call us today at 470-357-3741 for expert tree care solutions.