I bought 3 cherry burls at an auction.

I roughed one out and it is "interesting". There are voids and places where
the wood is rock hard next to places where it is punky. Needless to say, it
is tough going. The results might be pretty, or they might be trash; too
soon to say, I an not even sure if I can finish it without it breaking
apart.

Is this typical for a burl? Anything to be done to make it easier?