A Tree burl, colloquially called “Konk”, “Bunion”, "Cluster" etc... or by any other name is still a Burl. To locate this letterbox you will need to identify a Burl. While tree Burls are considered a rarity, I seem to find a lot of them on long walks in the woods. And the one I have found here is an example of the many types of burls all rolled up into one wonderful tree full. Use the background picture posted on this page to help learn to identify this phenomenon and feel free to post some pictures yourself.
BURLS: A burl is a tree growth in which the grain has grown in a deformed manner. It is commonly found in the form of a rounded outgrowth on a tree trunk, branch or at the base, it is filled with small knots from dormant buds. A burl results from a tree undergoing some form of stress. It may be caused by an injury, virus or fungus. Insect infestation and certain types of mold infestation are the most common causes of this condition.
Burls yield a very peculiar and highly figured wood, wanted for its beauty and rarity. It is sought after by artists, and wood sculptors. There are a number of well-known types of burls Some from particular species of trees, these are highly valued and sliced into veneers for furniture, inlay in doors, picture frames, household objects, automobile interior paneling and trim, and woodturning. Burl wood is very hard to work with hand tools or on a lathe because its grain is twisted and interlocked, causing it to chip and shatter unpredictably. This "wild grain" makes burl wood extremely dense and resistant to splitting, which made it valued for bowls, mallets, mauls and "beetles" or "beadles" for hammering chisels and driving wooden pegs.
Some burls are more highly prized than others, including ones from rural areas in central Massachusetts, northeast Connecticut, and as far south as Philadelphia. Some resemble an explosion in which the grain grows erratically, and it is these burls that the artist prizes over all other types. These spectacular patterns enhance the beauty of wood sculptures, furniture, and other artistic productions.
Regardless of the internal beauty of burls there is an exterior beauty of character they add to the tree like an old weathered face that cannot be denied. I love walking in the woods and discovering trees with these unique stress scars, it reminds me of how the difficult times in my own life have added to the richness and character of my soul. No story is complete without overcoming conflict, and this is true for some healthy, hardy, burled trees. I like to think of burls as the tree healing itself and making itself stronger due to the stress it has received, which seems to also be similar to the human condition.
CACHE: In order to locate this cache you will need to identify the tree with burls. See the background image of this page. The listed coordinates for this letterbox will take you to the "Purple West" intersection, you will need to hike south on the Purple trail just under 1/4 mile and find the tree with "burls" if you arrive at the Stone Hedges you have passed it and will need to head back up the purple trail to find it. The cache is located in a Bench rock cairn next to the tree.
Please No night caching in the park.
HAPPY CACHING!