Calling all Guru's of the woods and wild. Need help.

[Paul]

Ok, so yesterday before the 9000000mph wind hit the Red River Valley, I went on a few mile hike around a poplular nature area along the river. I saw this thing in a distance. took me along time to get close to it due to the deep snow, but know I havnt a clue as to what it is. My only thought is maybe a hive of some kind. WHat do you folks think. At First I thought it was a bald eagle from a distance after hearing reports of them in the park.

[finnbay]

Can't quite tell - would like to see it for myself - but could it be a "birdseye"? A growth from the tree trunk. See them on ash, cedar, pine trees and maple up here. Either an injury or sometimes a fungus can make them grow out of a tree trunk. Great looking grain if sliced off and sawed into lumber.

[Dbl]

I would agree with Ken, in that neck of the woods likely caused by barbed wire. Look at the surrounding trees you might find similar injuries, that would be the key to an old fence line.

[reinhard1]

well i'm ready to call it a big hornet nest by the entry hole in the bottom, although it seems to be darker than most i've seen. good luck.

[goblueM]

I'm pretty sure its just a burl - they're caused by some sort of stress to the tree, they usually have a bunch of deformed buds and gnarls and stuff

I think they are prized by woodcarvers because they have interesting stuff going on inside of them

[Paul]

Forgot to mention 2 things first it is 30 feet in the air. Second it is 3-4 in diameter. But does look like bark on top. Guess i will have to go back for anothwr look.

[eyeguy 54]

yup it's a nice burl. An uncle of mine used to do stuff with them. pretty cool stuff he made. starts from a fungus from injury or bugs

[Steve Foss]

Pretty classic burl. Very nice grain in many of them. Some don't pan out as far as woodworking goes, others do. Quite cool!

[reinhard1]

i think you guy's are right. i seen one big one watching alone in the wilderness again last night. the guy made table tops out of them. it looked excactly like the picture on this thread but huge. i thought it was a hornet nest at first. so much for being a woods guru. good luck.

[Paul]

I meant 3-4 feet in diameter. Thanks for the input, If it was caused by damage of some kind, I would have to guess, flood damage, as it is in the river bottom.

Speaking of Flood, Fargo started up Sand Bag Central last night in their quest for stockpiling 3 million sand bags for upcoming flood. Here we go again.

[Steve Foss]

Here's hoping you guys get a gradual melt, Paul. The right kind of melt makes all that snow go away nice and quiet.

[pureinsanity]

Burl for sure!

[Swimmer]

Yep, I'm going with a burl. Don't tell your woodworking friends or that tree may not be there long.

[pureinsanity]

Yep, I'm going with a burl. Don't tell your woodworking friends or that tree may not be there long.

I was thinking the same thing