Description
Color/Appearance: Heartwood tends to be a light reddish brown, with nearly white sapwood. Occasionally figured pieces are available with a wide, shallow curl similar to the curl found in Cherry. There is virtually no color distinction between annual growth rings, giving Birch a somewhat dull, uniform appearance.
Workability: Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though boards with wild grain can cause grain tearout during machining operations. Turns, glues, and finishes well.
Common Uses: Plywood, boxes, crates, turned objects, interior trim, and other small specialty wood items.
Comments: Birch is one of the most widely used woods for veneer and plywood worldwide. Besides regular sheets of plywood, Birch veneer is also used for doors, furniture, and paneling.
- Origin of Wood Type North Eastern USA, Eastern Canada
- Avg. Weight Per BF 3.80 lb/ft
- Rarity / Availability Readily Available
- Typical Avg. Width 3″ to 12″, rarely up to 24″ wide
- Typical Avg. Length 7′ to 12′
- Wood Uses Flooring, High-Grade Joinery, Furniture, Veneer and many other uses
- Lumber Grades Common 1 & 2, Select and Better, FAS, Flitch, Figured (Heavy), Figured (Medium), Veneer, Premium
- Other Trade Names Flame Birch, Yellow Birch, American Birch, Grey Birch, Hard Birch, Sweet Birch
