We've all seen gnarly looking trees or trees with some type of growth on them. This tree though, took the term "gnarly growth" to a new extreme!

I saw this particular specimen last October when @lellabird60 and I visited the Barolo wine area in Northern Italy.

I wasn't exaggerating was I? That's one massive growth!

Here are a couple of more views of the same tree. Do you find it ugly, interesting or beautiful?

This Massive Growth is Known as a Burr or Burl

Although considered by many to be unsightly, burls do not generally cause harm to the tree. It is assumed that they are formed because of some form of stress which could be caused by any of the following:

• fungi
• bacteria
• viruses
• insect activity
• animal activity
• weather
• human damage

Whatever the explanation for this particular Burl it is, without a doubt, the biggest one I have ever seen!

The Value of Burls

Way back when I worked as a furniture designer and cabinet maker the most expensive and beautiful wood that we used was burled. 

The British nature writer once referred to Burls as "like pearls in oysters". Just as a grain of sand in an oyster causes a valuable pearl to be formed so some type of stress within the tree causes a valuable burl to be formed!

Look at the Beautiful Patterns That These Burls Produce!

Above are some examples of what the wood looks like inside of a burl. Rare and precious!  Image Credit

Here's a jewellery/music box made with burled wood! So beautiful and precious! Photo from pixabay.com

Have You Seen a Tree With a Burl or Something Made From Burled Wood? 

If you have I'd like to see them and there are 10 Steem in rewards up for grabs!

Let's have some fun. Here are the rules for this contest:

• Submit a picture of a burl on a tree or something made with burled wood. You can make a post using the tag #burled and I'll try to visit it but the photo must also be included in the comments below!
• IMPORTANT: There must be a person in the photo (you or a friend) and the person must be holding a "sign" with the Steem logo (hand drawn or otherwise).
• You can submit entries up until this post "expires" in 7 days

I really look forward to seeing burled trees and wood from your area of the world!

I hope that you enjoyed this article: "Tree Tuesday, Does it Hurt? 10 Steem Prize!"

Until next time,

@kus-knee (The Old Dog)

Let's Succeed Together!