Though burls in redwood trees form interesting sculptures to look at, they serve an important role.
Burl is the knobby growth most commonly seen at base of some coast redwoods, though it can also be found high in the canopy as well. Burl is a woody material full of unsprouted bud tissue. It serves as a storage compartment for the genetic code of the parent tree. If the redwood falls or is damaged, the burl may sprout another redwood tree known as a clone.
Burls on Redwood Trees
Very unusual and interesting!
Sure is, Donna
I didn’t know that. These trees are so majestic.
Nature amazes us all the time
I love burls. I had a burl from when we went to a forest nearby our house. But it died when we moved. 🙁
Laura, that’s why it is advisable to leave nature’s stuff where it belongs!
They sell the burls…I didn’t take it off the tree just fyi!
Of course, Laura. I meant that sometimes living stuff doesn’t thrive away from its natural environment.