Birch (Betula alleghaniensis)

Characteristics Light Heavy Weight: Soft Hard Hardness: Fine Coarse Texture: Easy Difficult Working: Easy Difficult Finishing: Chart Help

Birch Characteristics

A straight-grained wood with fine even texture. Heavy and very strong. Straight-grain lumber works well. however, swirly or irregular grain may be difficult to machine without tear out.

Color Range

Cream or light brown tinged with red.

Other Names

American birch, Birch, Gray birch, Silver birch, Swamp birch, Yellow birch

Some Typical Uses

Cabinets, furniture, joinery, flooring, turning, and high grade plywood.

What's the Tree Like?

The largest of the North American birches. The tree usually reaches about 65 feet in height with a straight, tapering trunk generally about 30'' in diameter.

Birch grows in

Eastern Canada, Eastern USA.