Scientific Name
Betula alleghaniensis
Other Names
Yellow birch, grey birch, silver birch, swamp birch, hard birch, curly birch, boleau jaune
Family
Betulaceae, the birch family
Geography
Birch is found in North America, from the southeast corner of Manitoba and through Canada’s Atlantic provinces and into the northeastern United States, where it grows with western larch and black ash.
Properties
Birch has a porous heartwood in a light to dark golden brown or light reddish-brown. The sapwood is whitish, pale yellow or light red-brown. It is hard and wavy grained and very strong. It is fine and uniformed textured and has very high impact resistance. It is not very resistant to decay in a moist environment but can easily be treated with preservatives.
Workability
Birch bends fairly well but requires some care with gluing. It holds screws and nails well and has great splitting resistance. Birch finishes smooth and has good machining properties.
Uses
Birch is used extensively for furniture, flooring, doors, and cabinetry but it can also be used for veneers and plywood.
Price Level
Widely available, lower price range
