Just think of it as burl power. Burls, the outgrowths on trees caused by injury or infection, are having a moment in the design world. Proponents admire the distinctive knots and swirls in the wood that comes from them, and when fashioned into furniture, it has a smooth texture with visual complexity.

The process of harvesting burl wood also winks to upcycling and the final product embraces wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection. Plus, burl wood carries a certain vintage charm that is nevertheless versatile.

Burl wood can be light or dark in tone and can come from a variety of trees, including oak, maple, walnut, cherry and redwood. It originally became popular in the 18th century but saw resurgences in the art deco and midcentury modern periods as well as the 1970s.

“It’s a natu

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