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Clicking any heading in the main data area (at right) will scroll the page back to this top position. Use the following links to jump to the associated section in the main data. Blunting Effect Boring Carving Comments Common Names Common Uses Countries of Distribution Cutting Resistance Distribution Overview Drying Defects Ease of Drying Environmental Profile Family Name Gluing Grain Heartwood Color Kiln Schedules Luster Mortising Moulding Movement in Service Nailing Natural Durability Numerical Data Odor Painting Planing Polishing Product Sources References Regions of Distribution Resistance to Impregnation Resistance to Splitting Response to Hand Tools Routing & Recessing Sanding Sapwood Color Scientific Name Screwing Staining Steam Bending Strength Properties Texture Trade Name Tree Identification Tree Size Turning Varnishing Veneering Qualities Scientific Name Betula alleghaniensis Trade Name Yellow birch Family Name Betulaceae Common Names American birch, Betula wood, Birch, Black birch, Canadian silky wood, Canadian yellow birch, Curly birch, Gold birch, Gray birch, Hard birch, Quebec birch, Silver birch, Swamp birch, Yellow birch Regions of Distribution North America, Western Europe Countries of Distribution  [VIEW MAP] Canada, United Kingdom, United States Common Uses Agricultural implements, Bobbins, Boxes and crates, Building materials, Butcher blocks, Cabinetmaking, Casks, Chairs, Charcoal, Chemical derivatives, Chests, Concealed parts (Furniture), Cooperages, Cutting surfaces, Decorative plywood, Decorative veneer, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Domestic flooring, Dowell pins, Dowells, Drawer sides, Drum sticks, Figured veneer, Fine furniture, Fixtures, Floor lamps, Flooring, Flooring: commercial heavy traffic, Flooring: industrial heavy traffic, Fuelwood, Furniture , Furniture components, Furniture squares or stock, Furniture, Handles: general, Hardwood distillation, Hatracks, Interior construction, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Living-room suites, Marquetry, Mathematical instruments, Millwork, Musical instruments , Musical instruments, Office furniture, Organ pipes, Packing cases, Paneling , Paneling, Parquet flooring, Piano keys, Pianos , Plywood, Railroad ties, Sporting Goods, Textile equipment, Toothpicks, Toys, Turnery, Vehicle parts, Veneer, Veneer: decorative Environmental Profile Widespread Rare in parts of its natural range (population is at risk) Likely rare at the periphery of its range Globally secure Data source is Nature Conservancy Distribution Overview The range of yellow birch extends from southern Newfoundland, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Anticosti Island, the Gaspe peninsula, and Maine west to southern and southwestern Ontario and Minnesota; south to northern New Jersey, northern Ohio, extreme northern Indiana and Illinois; and south in the mountains to South Carolina, extreme northeastern Georgia, and eastern Tennessee. Reported to grow in Northern Europe and Northern Asia. It is a very hardy tree. Heartwood Color Brown Purple Red Reddish brown Pale brown Dark brown Brown Sapwood Color White White to yellow Clearly differentiated from the heartwood Paler than heartwood Light reddish brown Grain Figure Straight Distinct (figure) Variable (figure) Wavy Growth rings (figure) Even Closed Stripe (figure) Straight Variable figure Distinct and fine figure Wavy Clear growth rings (figure) Striped figure May be wavy or curly Generally straight, but not always Distinct figure Some logs may contain wavy or curly grain. Annual rings, grain and pores are often indistinct, and a uniform scattering of fine pores or vessels throughout the material gives it a dull and lusterless appearance. Texture Coarse Fine Fine and even Luster Low Natural Durability Perishable Susceptible to insect attack Non-durable Perishable Moderately durable Will deteriorate rapidly in wet conditions without chemical protection Very little natural resistance Susceptible to attack from termites (Isoptera) Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles Non durable Odor No specific smell or taste Kiln Schedules Dry at a slow speed UK=G US=T8B3/T5B1 T8 - C4 (4/4) T5 -C3 (8/4) US Drying Defects Splitting Internal Honeycombing Possible Checking Collapse Discoloration Distortion Moderate twist/warp Moderate to severe collapse and honeycomb Moderate surface checking End surface checks may be moderate to severe Ease of Drying Rapidly Moderately Difficult to Difficult Moderate Easy High shrinkage Dries slowly with little degrade Tree Identification Bole/stem form is cylindrical Bole/stem form is straight Tree Size Tree height is 30-40 m Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm The birch tree is rather short-lived, and rarely exceeds 80 years of age Product Sources The ITTO reports that timber production from this species is negligible. It is exported in low volumes. Comments General finishing qualities are rated as good Blunting Effect Little Blunting effect on machining is moderate Boring Fair to good results Fairly easy to very easy Very good results Carving Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Cutting Resistance Easy to saw Gluing Fair to Good Results Moderate gluing properties Easy to glue Difficult to glue Carefully controlled conditions required Mortising Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Finishes satisfactorily Exceptional mortising properties Moulding Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Moulding ease is moderate Movement in Service Fair to Good Stability - Medium Movement Excellent Stability - Small Movement Large Not stable/prone to move Medium Nailing Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Holds nails well Holds satisfactorily Possible if prebored Poor nailing properties Planing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Requires reduced cutting angle Ease of planing is moderate Material containing irregular grain is generally difficult to machine in most operations and may be accompanied by some grain tearing unless cutting angles are reduced. Straight-grained wood works without too much difficulty. Resistance to Impregnation Permeable sapwood Permeable heartwood Heartwood is moderately resistant Sapwood is permeable Heartwood is permeable Heartwood is resistant Resistance to Splitting Poor Good Response to Hand Tools Responds Readily Easy to Work Easy to machine Moderate working qualities Difficult to machine Routing & Recessing Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Sanding Fair sanding qualities Screwing Very Good to Excellent Results Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Screwing yields satisfactory results Screwing yields good results Poor screwing properties Turning Fair to Good Results Fairly Easy to Very Easy Good results Good results Easy to turn Veneering Qualities Suitable for peeling Veneers moderately easy Veneers easily There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits Moderately easy to veneer Steam Bending Fair to Good Results Very good Good Moderate Painting Good results Polishing Good results Staining Fair to Good Results Very Good to Excellent Results Finish is generally good Finish is generally satisfactory Varnishing Good results Strength Properties Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. Hardness (side grain) = soft Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low Bending strength (MOR) = medium Max. crushing strength = high Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low Max. crushing strength = medium Toughness-Hammer drop (impact Strength) = high Shrinkage, Radial = fairly large Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = moderate Shrinkage, Tangential = fairly large Max. crushing strength = low Hardness (side grain) = very soft Bending strength (MOR) = high Toughness (total work) = medium Shrinkage, Tangential = very small Shrinkage, Tangential = small Shrinkage, Tangential = large Shrinkage, Radial = very small