From
http://www.baconveneer.com/pages/glossary_fig_types.html ?Figure? is a general term referring to the visual surface effects which result from the infinitely varied porous structure of each tree or, in fact, section of each tree. Obviously, the general appearance is affected by the manner in which the log is cut into veneer (i.e. flat cut, quartered, etc.) but the basic cross figure or curl types remain dominant, no matter how the log is cut.
BIRDSEYE - There are many theories concerning the generation of ?birdseye? figure or appearance which occurs almost exclusively in Hard Maple (Acer saccharum) growing in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and, of much less significance, in a similarly narrow latitude east to the Maritimes. It is said that birds peck the surface (necessarily to the cambium layer) if the trunks of the relatively limited number of ?chosen? trees, and to varying degrees, maybe in search of ?bugs? or possibly seeking the Sugar Maple sap. These variously scattered irritants to the normal growth layer heal with spotty distortion, are cut across and revealed in the veneer as birdseye figure. Obviously, the more ?scattered irritants? the more ?spotty distortions?, and therefore the more desirable birdseye effect.
BURL - A burl is a wart like growth, probably caused by some injury to the growth layer. In the process of ?healing?, there may be very abnormal growth and accumulation of undeveloped buds to eventually form this burl, which may very in size from a few inches (of no veneer value) to a tremendous, somewhat oval growth weighing as much as two tons. Burls figure results from rotary cutting this growth, and the general appearance is a close arrangement of many small ?eyes? with much distorted grain appearance intermingled. Burls are common mostly to a few species, including Walnut, Myrtle, Redwood (California, that is), Elm (European), Madrone, Ash and Mappa (European Poplar).
CURLY - Results from distorted growth of fibers in the trunk of the tree that gives a wavy or curly appearance in the veneer.
QUILTED - A very uneven or wavy interlocking contour of the growth rings is evident on the outside of the log as a more or less even but very ?bumpy? surface. Rotary or halfround cutting along this surface produces veneer with a quilted effect of continuous seashell overlay surface. It is interesting to note that a very similar condition or appearance is known as quilt in Maple (quilted Maple) Pommele? in African redwoods and Peanut Figure in Japanese Ash (Tamo).
