After a burl has been dug up, it is left in a straw-covered trench to dry out. it may remain in the trench several years as the moisture within the wood evaporates.the burl is then cut into small squares, each about the size of pipe bowl. these squares are then cured. one popular method of curing is to boil the wood in water. this brier is then dried out again for three month to four years. this step removes and sap remaining in the wood. when drying is complete, the brier blocks are cut into the general shape of pipe bowls. As this point they are inspected and graded by color, grain, and flaws. A pipe maker is fortunate if three out of one thousand bowls are of excellent grade. A flawless brier pipe is,indeed, an exceptional find and treasured by pipe collectors.