BIRD’S EYE GRAIN
Bird’s eye grain is a distinctive pattern found in select types of wood, sometimes referred to as burl grain. It is characterized by small circular swirls resembling bird’s eyes. The most notable example is bird’s eye maple, a light-colored wood that develops a honey hue over time, with dark streaks accentuating its unique grain pattern. Bird’s eye maple is widely used in furniture-making due to its attractive appearance.
Although visually stunning, bird’s eye grain can be difficult to work with. Its color can vary significantly, and the grain may have a slight curl. Moreover, the patterns of bird’s eye grain can cause stains to be absorbed unpredictably, making it a challenging material to finish. The cause of this unusual grain pattern is still unknown to experts in the field.