What in the world??

The nursing home my Dad is in is approx. 3 miles from our home. On the way there, we pass a small woodsy area, and within that area is the grossest (is that a word?!?) looking tree we've ever seen. We weren't sure what it was, but we knew there was something growing on the tree. It took a few 'drive-bys' to realize that it wasn't an animal clinging on to it for dear life!! Today when we went out, I was smart enough to bring my camera so we could get a closer look.





When we got home, we researched it and found it to be a burl. Call me ignorant, but I had never heard of such a thing...that is...until I realized that burl wood items come from these 'funny growths' on trees. I have heard of burl wood...but never knew where it came from.

I found this on wisegeek.com:

"Burl wood is highly prized by artists because of its unique shapes and ring patterns. Burl wood is a type of fast growing, abnormal growth found on some trees. Burl wood grows because the tree has experienced some sort of environmental stress or damage. This is often caused by either a fungal attack or an attack by insects. The number of trees that produce burl wood is quite low....certain types of burl wood are more rare and prized than others."

So...the kids and I learned something new today on the ride to visit Dad. (See...you don't have to be home in a 'classroom' to learn things.) Now every time we drive by that tree, we'll know what it is that's sticking out, and we'll smile for being that much smarter!

It's still pretty gross to look at though!