Huge Norway Maple Burl

[PA_Walnut]

I have an opportunity to purchase this log. I know and have handled a LOT of figured maple, but not burls.
Came from a yard tree which blew over the other day. The bottom 5' had rot, but the top appears sound.

15' long with HUGE (48") burls up to about 24" at the top.

I have NO idea what this is worth. Anyone? The tree service guy called me, but wants $$$...thinks he has gold.
He'll soon tire of the process and call me again. What's it worth?

[nativewolf]

One thought is to cut it on shares.  He can try to sell some too.

I read that there is a rule on cutting blanks like...L = 3xW or something.  You could google that up and find the local wood turners club.

[longtime lurker]

Carton of good beer or a bottle or equivalent cash value.

 Dont know anything about that species but my gut tells me thats either a real good log or poor firewood material. With rot down the bottom I'd give it 50/50 either way.

Otherwise tell him to deliver and go halves. Less sawblades, being a yard tree and all.... thats probably some kids grown over tyre swing in there :D

[PA_Walnut]

Thanks for the suggestions and info. My "gut" tells me to opt-out. Not my speciality and while it looks to be be sound at the top, could be a total bust.
I'll some some super-curly hard maple I have on the lot instead!  :D ;D

[quilbilly]

Most Burls I know of are bought by the pound. That might also give you an idea if it's rotten. 

[Peter Drouin]

$ 30,00 delivered 

[moodnacreek]

'There's a lot of fish in the sea'  Don't pay for that.

[scully]

I have seen that kind of growth as a result of something in the tree . I don't see any black stain but I sure as heck would not want to pay to find out whats in it . 

[CX3]

I'd pay him to deliver it.

[YellowHammer]

When people try tell sell me "burl" I always refuse up front as they think they have gold, so I don't even bother dickering.  I tell them to call me back when and if they cant find a buyer at their "highly valuable" price and I will pay them log prices, Doyle scale based on trunk or ARD (Average Reasonable Diameter) ;D, for that species.  Then when they have exhausted their cell phone batteries, and find out that nobody wants it for any price, they sometimes call me back and take the money.  Delivered, of course.  I'd say better than 50% of the common burly wood I get is firewood.  The other is real, real nice.  So I don't risk big money, but if I can get it for the price of a log, I'll do it, and take a chance at it.

I don't cut burly on shares, because every single piece is different, and each party thinks they are getting a raw deal when it's time to divvy up the wood.  

Just the way I do it.  I definately won't chase the price, though.  Working and drying burl is a hassle, with lots of risk and things that can go wrong.  I offer what I offer, and won't lose any sleep over it either way, if I score or it's garbage.  

I'd be creative and flexible cutting it, depending on how it looks inside, and most usually will end with at least several "curly burly" live edge slabs of indeterminate length.  That's why I price by log Doyle, as I will try to make slabs if nothing else.  So even a hollow burly can usually make even half width slabs, just like a log with hollow pith.  The last maple I had like that, maybe not as nice as your picture on the outside, a guy bought two live edge slabs, built a table, and sold it to someone in California for six grand.  The slabs were spectacular, and he can back and bought the rest at a significant price.  We were both happy.

[PA_Walnut]

Thanks Yellow, that's about where I landed with my though processes. He's looking for BIG money and "has a buyer" but hasn't seemed to move it yet. Due to his being emotionally vested in it, I opted out early and got this log from my best supplier. No gamble here, as it's figured hard maple, clear as a bell, smallest heart I've ever seen and white as snow. WIN!
  8)

Made some awesome 5/4 and 8/4 stock...all excellent with ZERO defects. 

[YellowHammer]

Very nice!