The Birch Family
Alaska Paper Birch
| Scientific Name: | Betula neoalaskana |
| Location: | Alaska & Northern Canada |
| Dried Weight: | 38lbs/ft3 |
| Janka Hardness: | 830lbf |
| Crushing Strength: | 7,450lbf /in2 |
Birch heartwood tends to be a light reddish brown, while the sapwood tends to be nearly white. The grain is straight or slightly wavy and it carries a fine even texture. Birch has a low natural lustre. The end grain is diffuse-porous. Birch is rated as perishable when it comes to decay. The wood is easy to work with and turns, glues, and finishes well.
Alder Leaf Birch
| Scientific Name: | Betula alnoides |
| Location: | Burma, India & Nepal |
| Dried Weight: | 33lbs/ft3 |
| Janka Hardness: | 830lbf |
| Crushing Strength: | 6,400lbf /in2 |
Birch heartwood tends to be a light reddish brown, while the sapwood tends to be nearly white. The grain is straight or slightly wavy and it carries a fine even texture. Birch has a low natural lustre. The end grain is diffuse-porous. Birch is rated as perishable when it comes to decay. The wood is easy to work with and turns, glues, and finishes well.
Downy Birch
| Scientific Name: | Betula pubescens |
| Location: | Northern Europe, Asia, Iceland & Greenland |
| Dried Weight: | 39lbs/ft3 |
| Janka Hardness: | 900lbf |
| Crushing Strength: | Not available |
Birch heartwood tends to be a light reddish brown, while the sapwood tends to be nearly white. The grain is straight or slightly wavy and it carries a fine even texture. Birch has a low natural lustre. The end grain is diffuse-porous. Birch is rated as perishable when it comes to decay. The wood is easy to work with and turns, glues, and finishes well.
Gray Birch
| Scientific Name: | Betula populifolia |
| Location: | northeastern North America |
| Dried Weight: | 35lbs/ft3 |
| Janka Hardness: | 760lbf |
| Crushing Strength: | 4,870lbf /in2 |
Birch heartwood tends to be a light reddish brown, while the sapwood tends to be nearly white. The grain is straight or slightly wavy and it carries a fine even texture. Birch has a low natural lustre. The end grain is diffuse-porous. Birch is rated as perishable when it comes to decay. The wood is easy to work with and turns, glues, and finishes well.
Paper Birch
| Scientific Name: | Betula papyrifera |
| Location: | northern & central North America |
| Dried Weight: | 38lbs/ft3 |
| Janka Hardness: | 910lbf |
| Crushing Strength: | 5,690lbf /in2 |
Birch heartwood tends to be a light reddish brown, while the sapwood tends to be nearly white. The grain is straight or slightly wavy and it carries a fine even texture. Birch has a low natural lustre. The end grain is diffuse-porous. Birch is rated as perishable when it comes to decay. The wood is easy to work with and turns, glues, and finishes well.
River Birch
| Scientific Name: | Betula nigra |
| Location: | eastern USA |
| Dried Weight: | 37lbs/ft3 |
| Janka Hardness: | 970lbf |
| Crushing Strength: | Not Available |
Birch heartwood tends to be a light reddish brown, while the sapwood tends to be nearly white. The grain is straight or slightly wavy and it carries a fine even texture. Birch has a low natural lustre. The end grain is diffuse-porous. Birch is rated as perishable when it comes to decay. The wood is easy to work with and turns, glues, and finishes well.
Silver Birch
| Scientific Name: | Betula pendula |
| Location: | Europe & Southwest Asia |
| Dried Weight: | 40lbs/ft3 |
| Janka Hardness: | 1,210lbf |
| Crushing Strength: | Not Available |
Birch heartwood tends to be a light reddish brown, while the sapwood tends to be nearly white. The grain is straight or slightly wavy and it carries a fine even texture. Birch has a low natural lustre. The end grain is diffuse-porous. Birch is rated as perishable when it comes to decay. The wood is easy to work with and turns, glues, and finishes well.
Sweet Birch
| Scientific Name: | Betula lenta |
| Location: | northeastern North America |
| Dried Weight: | 46lbs/ft3 |
| Janka Hardness: | 1,470lbf |
| Crushing Strength: | 8,540lbf /in2 |
Birch heartwood tends to be a light reddish brown, while the sapwood tends to be nearly white. The grain is straight or slightly wavy and it carries a fine even texture. Birch has a low natural lustre. The end grain is diffuse-porous. Birch is rated as perishable when it comes to decay. The wood is easy to work with and turns, glues, and finishes well.
Yellow Birch
| Scientific Name: | Betula alleghaniensis |
| Location: | northeastern North America |
| Dried Weight: | 43lbs/ft3 |
| Janka Hardness: | 1,260lbf |
| Crushing Strength: | 8,170lbf /in2 |
Birch heartwood tends to be a light reddish brown, while the sapwood tends to be nearly white. The grain is straight or slightly wavy and it carries a fine even texture. Birch has a low natural lustre. The end grain is diffuse-porous. Birch is rated as perishable when it comes to decay. The wood is easy to work with and turns, glues, and finishes well.