Kelat Burl is a rare and exotic burl wood sourced from trees in the Syzygium genus, specifically species like Syzygium buettnerianum or Syzygium polyanthum, which are native to Southeast Asia, including regions like Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Thailand. These medium-sized trees, often growing to 30–35 metres tall with bole diameters up to 60–200 cm, are found in lowland primary and secondary rainforests, on ridge tops, hillsides, or near streams, at elevations from sea level to 2,500 metres. The trees often have straight boles, sometimes with thick buttresses, and are locally abundant in areas like the Solomon and Santa Cruz Islands.
The heartwood of Kelat Burl exhibits a rich colour palette, typically ranging from light yellowish-brown to a deeper reddish-brown, often with darker streaks or reddish-black spots that create a dramatic contrast. As a burl, its grain is highly irregular, featuring tight swirls, knots, and intricate patterns that are characteristic of burl wood, formed due to stress from injury, fungi, or insects. The texture is fine to medium, with a moderate natural lustre, and the wood often displays a unique, almost marbled appearance due to its chaotic growth patterns. The sapwood is a pale greyish-white, distinctly separate from the heartwood.
Kelat Burl has a density of around 700–800 kg/m³, making it a hard and moderately heavy wood with good strength. It’s reported to be moderately durable but can be rapidly infested by wood-degrading organisms, and the heartwood is untreatable with preservatives, limiting its use in high-moisture environments unless properly sealed. The interlocked grain can make it challenging to work with, often causing tearout during planing or sawing, though it’s rated as easy to fair for sawing and planing with a 35-degree rake angle for optimal results. It machines, moulds, and mortises well, glues effectively, and takes stains, paints, and polishes easily, achieving a smooth, high-quality finish that highlights its unique patterns.
When worked, Kelat Burl has a mild scent, though specific notes aren’t widely documented. It’s highly prized for its rarity and aesthetic appeal, often used in fine woodworking projects like turned objects (e.g., pens, bowls), knife handles, and small decorative items. In the UK, it might be seen in bespoke furniture or artistic pieces, such as the handmade replica Civil War-era Mini Ball Bullet pens mentioned in woodworking circles, where its unique figuring can be showcased. Its applications also extend to furniture, cabinetry, veneer, and handicrafts, as well as tool handles and agricultural tools, though its scarcity makes it more common in specialty projects.
Kelat Burl is very rare on the market, with limited availability noted by exotic wood suppliers—some sources indicate it’s difficult to find other sellers offering it. The wood often has natural slits and cavities, requiring careful stabilisation with glue during preparation to ensure usability, especially for turning blanks or pen blanks. It’s not listed on CITES Appendices, but its rarity suggests sustainable sourcing is crucial to avoid overexploitation. In the UK, where exotic woods are often imported, Kelat Burl’s high cost and limited supply make it a premium choice for craftsmen seeking a unique, one-of-a-kind material for high-end projects.Kelat Burl is a rare and exotic burl wood sourced from trees in the Syzygium genus, specifically species like Syzygium buettnerianum or Syzygium polyanthum, which are native to Southeast Asia, including regions like Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Thailand. These medium-sized trees, often growing to 30–35 metres tall with bole diameters up to 60–200 cm, are found in lowland primary and secondary rainforests, on ridge tops, hillsides, or near streams, at elevations from sea level to 2,500 metres. The trees often have straight boles, sometimes with thick buttresses, and are locally abundant in areas like the Solomon and Santa Cruz Islands.
The heartwood of Kelat Burl exhibits a rich colour palette, typically ranging from light yellowish-brown to a deeper reddish-brown, often with darker streaks or reddish-black spots that create a dramatic contrast. As a burl, its grain is highly irregular, featuring tight swirls, knots, and intricate patterns that are characteristic of burl wood, formed due to stress from injury, fungi, or insects. The texture is fine to medium, with a moderate natural lustre, and the wood often displays a unique, almost marbled appearance due to its chaotic growth patterns. The sapwood is a pale greyish-white, distinctly separate from the heartwood.
Kelat Burl has a density of around 700–800 kg/m³, making it a hard and moderately heavy wood with good strength. It’s reported to be moderately durable but can be rapidly infested by wood-degrading organisms, and the heartwood is untreatable with preservatives, limiting its use in high-moisture environments unless properly sealed. The interlocked grain can make it challenging to work with, often causing tearout during planing or sawing, though it’s rated as easy to fair for sawing and planing with a 35-degree rake angle for optimal results. It machines, moulds, and mortises well, glues effectively, and takes stains, paints, and polishes easily, achieving a smooth, high-quality finish that highlights its unique patterns.
When worked, Kelat Burl has a mild scent, though specific notes aren’t widely documented. It’s highly prized for its rarity and aesthetic appeal, often used in fine woodworking projects like turned objects (e.g., pens, bowls), knife handles, and small decorative items. In the UK, it might be seen in bespoke furniture or artistic pieces, such as the handmade replica Civil War-era Mini Ball Bullet pens mentioned in woodworking circles, where its unique figuring can be showcased. Its applications also extend to furniture, cabinetry, veneer, and handicrafts, as well as tool handles and agricultural tools, though its scarcity makes it more common in specialty projects.
Kelat Burl is very rare on the market, with limited availability noted by exotic wood suppliers—some sources indicate it’s difficult to find other sellers offering it. The wood often has natural slits and cavities, requiring careful stabilisation with glue during preparation to ensure usability, especially for turning blanks or pen blanks. It’s not listed on CITES Appendices, but its rarity suggests sustainable sourcing is crucial to avoid overexploitation. In the UK, where exotic woods are often imported, Kelat Burl’s high cost and limited supply make it a premium choice for craftsmen seeking a unique, one-of-a-kind material for high-end projects.