Can I use a burl wood for bracing and/or posts?

[esarratt]

Hi!

Can I use burl wood for bracing or maybe even posts?  Provided the entire piece is boxed heart cut and free of shake and/or rot.

Just a thought.  I have become quite good at getting burls out of people's yards for free and am trying to figure out the many different ways I could use the wood.

I know that crotches should not be used for structural purposes, but I am unaware if the structural quality of burls is compromised by their formation.

My real thinking is to turn some nice solid burl locust and burl maple I have into 3x5 or larger bracing.

Twood look pretty in the living room.

Your thoughts.

Eric

[Dave Shepard]

I don't think burl is going to be structurally sound enough for timber work.

[Jeff]

I would think burl grain to be most unstable. If graded as lumber, it is actually defect.

[esarratt]

I would think burl grain to be most unstable. If graded as lumber, it is actually defect.

Ahhhh.  Good point.

I had a thought.  What about just doubling the bracing (provided it looks "right")?  I could use a knee in the corner, of appropriate size, then put a non-essential burl 3x5 brace a bit further out from it.

Hmmm.  Maybe something to try on a workshop first to see how it fits.

I noticed in one of Sobon's books that he used a crotch in his home.  From the other posts in its vicinity it is obviously non-essential for load bearing purpose.

Just gotta make it look right so it isn't garish....

[Biocmp]

Why not sell the burlwood and buy a whole whack of logs that'll make any stick you need?

[woodworker9]

If you want your bracing/posts to look like burlwood, I would suggest using it as a veneer over a structurally sound brace or post....for aesthetic use only.  It would not be considered structural due to the very nature of a burl.

[timberwrestler]

Burly

[mrbrb]

haha