Our Story

Built the old way, for modern life.

Burl began in a small West Yorkshire workshop with a simple idea: make honest, hard-wearing wooden pieces the way joiners always have—carefully, patiently, and with pride. After years on the tools building shepherd huts, lodges, and bespoke storage, we kept getting the same request from customers and mates at the market: “Any chance you could make me a proper crate?” Not the flimsy, wobbly sort—something you’d be happy to use in your kitchen, shop, studio, or garden for years.

So we did. And that’s how Burl Apple Crates (and everything that’s followed) was born.

Why “Burl”

A burl is the swirling figure you find in timber—nature’s reminder that character is created under pressure. We loved that. It suits our way of working: embrace the timber’s personality, build it strong, finish it beautifully, and let it earn a patina with use.

How we make things

  • Timber, first. We hand-select responsibly sourced wood from trusted local suppliers. If the grain, moisture and weight aren’t right, it doesn’t make the cut.

  • Joinery that lasts. Pieces are measured twice, cut once, and fixed with solid joinery and hidden fastenings where it matters. No shortcuts, no rattly corners.

  • Smoothed and safe. Every edge is eased by hand, then sanded for a clean, splinter-safe touch.

  • Finished to work hard. We oil and seal with a food-safe, water-resistant finish that can handle kitchens, shops and busy homes. Wipe-clean, re-oil when needed, and carry on.

What we make

  • Apple crates in multiple sizes (stackable, tiered, and display variants) for storage, shelving, markets and retail displays.

  • Custom crates & signage for events, pop-ups and trade customers.

  • One-off joinery pieces when the right project knocks—because we’re joiners at heart.

If you need a size, colour tone, or engraving we don’t list, just ask. Small workshop means quick tweaks without the faff.

Made in West Yorkshire

We’re proud of where we’re from. Most of our timber and hardware come from small UK businesses. Offcuts become kindling, jigs, or smaller products. Waste is kept low, quality is kept high, and the kettle’s usually on.

Built for real life

Life’s busy. Our pieces are designed to stack, mount, or move easily, so you can re-arrange a shop display on Friday and have the same crates holding veg at the market on Saturday. They’re sturdy enough for trade, tidy enough for home, and handsome enough for wedding décor.

Our promises

  • No-nonsense quality. If something’s not right, we’ll put it right—repair over replace where possible.

  • Fair pricing. We price for craft and materials, not smoke and mirrors.

  • Straight talk. You’ll always know lead times, finishes, and what to expect. No surprises—except how solid it feels when it arrives.

A note on character

Wood is a natural material. Grain patterns and tone will vary, and that’s the point. Every Burl piece will have its own look, but the build quality is consistent: square, strong, and made to graft.