I just saw a news report that people are poaching the burls growing on the Redwood trees in California. Here is a related item from the NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/09/us/poachers-attack-beloved-elders-of-california-its-redwoods.html?_r=0
I can't believe that the money grubbing bastards would stoop so low.
Please be careful where you buy your burl wood.