Acquired some walnut burl. I don't when I'll get to turning it. Seal it up or let it be as-is? I will likely tarp it after this big rain, in the meantime I'm hoping some dirt will wash away.
Daniel, I sealed all of my burl cutoffs within a few hours after separating them from the main burl. Here are the before and after images. I use Anchorseal on all of the cut surfaces.Acquired some walnut burl. I don't when I'll get to turning it. Seal it up or let it be as-is? I will likely tarp it after this big rain, in the meantime I'm hoping some dirt will wash away.
Thanks Bill. I recently processed a large walnut burl that I was given and it had been sitting around for years. I do not believe it was ever sealed. See attached photo.I have never sealed any of my burl as normally the interlocking grain doesn't seem to move much if any. The only cracking of burl I have run into is cherry burl and those cracks were in the uncut burl.
I feel like I should too.To be safe, seal it.
I use nothing but Anchorseal as well.Daniel, I sealed all of my burl cutoffs within a few hours after separating them from the main burl. Here are the before and after images. I use Anchorseal on all of the cut surfaces.
[the images of burl cutoffs on the cart were before I applied the Anchorseal...]
I think you're right Don, much of it is root, however there was a portion that looked like burl (see attached photo). I will be pressure washing tomorrow. I am unable to store inside at the moment due to storage constraints but I may be able to get it under a covered exterior area for the time being.Judging by the photos it looks more like a root, which is still likely to yield some incredible grain.
I would get a pressure washer and clean off as much dirt as you can then store it in a well ventilated area out of the sun and rain without a tarp. You may want to use Anchor Seal on the fresh cut areas to slow down the release of moisture.
A few years ago I acquired 2 large walnut stumps that had been removed from a construction site in MPLS metro area then stored away in an old barn about 40 years ago. The wood although checked on the outside was mostly sound except for the sap wood.
View attachment 41754 This lamp was made from some of the stump wood that had checks and I used powdered turquois to infill.