WOOD SPECIES:
Birch
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Betula papyrifera
OTHER COMMON NAMES:
Birch, Black Birch, Canadian White Birch, Canoe Birch, Kenai Birch, Kenai Paper Birch, Paper Birch, Red Birch, Silver Birch, Western Paper Birch, White Birch
TYPICAL USES:
Common uses for Birch wood products includeplywood and veneers, doors, paneling, and furniture. Birch is also frequently used in turnery as well as the creation of small wood specialty products.
SOURCES:
United States and Canada
RELATED SPECIES:
Alaska Paper Birch (Betula neoalaskana)
Alder-leaf Birch (Betula alnoides)
Downy Birch (Betula pubescens)
Gray Birch (Betula populifolia)
Masur Birch (Betula verrucosa)
River Birch (Betula nigra)
Silver Birch (Betula pendula)
Sweet Birch (Betula lenta)
Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis)
AVG BENDING STRENGTH:
12,300 PSI
SPECIFIC GRAVITY:
0.55
AVG WEIGHT:
40 lbs/cu.ft.
SAPWOOD COLOR:
Birch sapwood is typically creamy white in color.
HEARTWOOD COLOR:
Birch heartwood varies slightly from a light creamy shade to somewhat reddish-brown.
GRAIN:
Birch grain is typically straight with some wavy figuring.
TEXTURE:
Fine, even texture with mostly closed pores.
DURABILITY:
Birch is generally considered to be perishable with little to no decay resistance. The wood is also prone to insect infestation.
BLUNTING EFFECT:
Despite being a relatively heavy wood, Birch exhibits a below-average blunting effect.
CUTTING RESISTANCE:
Birch cuts with little resistance.
PLANING:
Planing qualities of Birch tend to be average to below-average, with chipping and tearout during machining operations.
TURNING:
Birch is an excellent wood for most turnery applications.
BORING:
Bores well with smooth, uniform holes.
GLUING:
Responds well to the majority of gluing applications, producing strong, clean joints. Lighter colored glues are recommended to avoid noticeable glue lines.
NAILING:
Holds nails well with very little risk of splitting. Nonetheless, pre-drilling is recommended.
SCREWING:
Birch holds screw very well. Pre-drilling is advised to prevent splitting.
POLISHING:
Birch wood polishes well with little to no grain filling required.
STAINING:
Finishes well, especially with clear or lighter-colored dyes and stains.
STEAM BENDING:
Birch responds well to most steam bending operations.
