Birch (Betula spp.) is composed of 30 to 50 species growing in Asia [12], North America [4] and Europe [4]. All species look alike microscopically. The word betula is the classical Latin name of birch. The important species are yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), sweet birch (B. lenta), and paper birch (B. papyrifera). Other birches of some commercial importance are river birch (B. nigra), gray birch (B. populifolia), and western paper birch (B. papyrifera var. commutata).

Betula alleghaniensis* black birch, Canadian silky wood, gray birch, hard

birch, Quebec birch, silver birch, swamp birch, white birch, witch hazel, yellow birch

Betula lenta* black birch, black cherry birch, cherry birch, mahogany, mahogany birch, mountain birch, mountain ma­hogany, red birch, river birch, spice birch, yellow birch, sweet birch

Betula nana swamp birch

Betula nigra* black birch, red birch, river birch, water birch

Betula occidentalis black birch, canyon birch, cherry birch, mountain

birch, red birch, red canyon birch, spring birch, swamp birch, sweet birch, water birch, western birch, western paper birch, western red birch

Betula papyrifera* black birch, canoe birch, gray birch, large white

birch, northwestern paper birch, paper birch, red birch, silver birch, western birch, western paper birch, white birch

Betula papyrifera var. papyrifera paper birch (typical)

Betula papyrifera var. commutata western paper birch

Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia mountain paper birch

Betula papyrifera var. kenaica Kenai birch

Betula papyrifera var. neoalaskana Alaska paper birch

Betula papyrifera var. subcordata northwestern paper birch

Betula pendula silver birch, white birch

Betula populifolia* blue birch, blueleaf birch, broom birch, fire birch,

gray birch, oldfield birch, pin birch, poplar-leaved birch, poverty birch, small white birch, white birch, wire birch

Betula pumila dwarf birch

Betula uber Ashe's birch, Virginia birch, Virginia roundleaf birch

*commercial species

Distribution: North America. Yellow birch, sweet birch, and paper birch grow principally in the Northeastern and Lake States. Yellow and sweet birch also grow along the Appala­chian Mountains to northern Georgia. Paper birch is also found throughout Canada and Alaska. Yellow, sweet, and paper birch are the source of most birch lumber and veneer.

The Tree: Birches can reach a height of 70 ft (21m), with a diameter of more than 2 ft (0.6 m).

General Wood Characteristics: The wood varies slightly among species. The wood of yellow birch and sweet birch is heavy, hard and strong, while that of paper birch is lighter, and less hard, strong and stiff. All birches have a fine, uniform texture. Paper birch is easy to work with hand tools; sweet birch and yellow birch are difficult to work with hand tools and difficult to glue, but easily machined.

Yellow birch has white sapwood and light reddish-brown heartwood. Sweet birch has light-colored sapwood and dark brown heartwood tinged with red.

Weighta

 

 

 

Kiln drying schedulea

4/4, 5/4, 6/4        8/4        10/4        12/4        16/4

Conditionb        stock        stock        stock        stock stock

B. lenta (sweet birch), B. nigra (river birch), B. populifolia (gray birch) and

B. papyrifera (paper birch).

Standard        T10-C4        T8-D3        NA        NA        NA

1-in. squares        T10-C6        NA        NA        NA

Whiter 1-in. squares        T5-C6

2-in. squares        T8-C4

Whiter 2-in. squares        T5-C4

B. alleghaniensis (yellow birch)

Standard        T8-C4        T5-C3        T5-B3 T3-B2 T3-A1

1-in. squares        T8-C5

2-in. squares        T5-C4

aReferences (6, 86). b1 in. = 25.4 mm.

Working Properties: Working properties may vary with species. In general, birches split during nailing; if successfully nailed, they have good nail-holding properties.

Durability: Rated as slightly or nonresistant to heartwood decay. Preservation: No information available at this time.

Uses: Yellow and sweet birch lumber and veneer are used principally in the manufacture of furniture, boxes, baskets, crates, woodenware, cooperage, interior finish, and doors. Birch veneer goes into plywood used for flush doors, furniture, paneling, radio and television cabi­nets, aircraft, and other specialty uses. Paper birch is used for turned products, including spools, bobbins, small handles, and toys. Also used for pulp wood, fuel wood, turnery, dis­tillation products, toothpicks, ice cream sticks and tongue depressors.

 

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