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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

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

Shrinkage, Radial = moderate

Shrinkage, Radial = large

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low

Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium

Heavy

Hardness = medium

Hardness (side grain) = medium

Compression strength (parallel to grain) = high

Bending strength (MOR) = very low

Bending strength (MOR) = very high

Bending strength (MOR) = low

Work to Maximum Load = very low

Numerical Data

Item	Green	Dry	English

Bending Strength	8825	15571	psi
Crushing Strength	421	951	psi
Density		42	lbs/ft3
Hardness		1102	lbs
Impact Strength	47	53	inches
Maximum Crushing Strength	4358	8127	psi
Shearing Strength		1734	psi
Stiffness	1510	1882	1000 psi
Toughness		549	inch-lbs
Work to Maximum Load	13	18	inch-lbs/in3
Specific Gravity	0.5	0.57
Weight	42	32	lbs/ft3
Radial Shrinkage	6		%
Tangential Shrinkage	8		%
Volumetric Shrinkage	17		%

Item	Green	Dry	Metric

Bending Strength	620	1094	kg/cm2
Crushing Strength	29	66	kg/cm2
Density		673	kg/m3
Hardness		499	kg
Impact Strength	119	134	cm
Maximum Crushing Strength	306	571	kg/cm2
Shearing Strength		121	kg/cm2
Stiffness	106	132	1000 kg/cm2
Toughness		632	cm-kg
Work to Maximum Load	0.91	1.26	cm-kg/cm3
Specific Gravity	0.5	0.57
Weight	673	512	kg/m3
Radial Shrinkage	6		%
Tangential Shrinkage	8		%

References
Bodig, J. and B. A. Jayne. 1982. Mechanics of Wood and Wood Composites. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York.

Boone, R.S., C.J. Kozlik, P.J. Bois and E.M. Wengert. 1988. Dry Kiln Schedules for Commercial Woods: Temperate and Tropical. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, General Technical Report FPL-GTR-57, Madison, Wisconsin.

Brisbin, R.L. and Sonderman, D.L.,1973,American Woods - Birch,USDA, Forest Service American Woods FS-221

Brown, H.P. and Panshin, A.J.,1940,Commercial Timbers of the United States Their structure, identification,,properties and uses,McGraw-Hill, London

Brown, W.H.,1978,Timbers of the World: - No.7 North America,TRADA

California Department of Forestry. Comparative Physical & Mechanical Properties of Western & Eastern Hardwoods. Prepared by Forest Products Laboratory, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California. n/d.

Canadian Forestry Service. 1981. Canadian Woods - Their Properties and Uses. Third Edition. E.J. Mullins and T.S. McKnight, Editors. Published by University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Canada.

Edlin, H.L. 1969. What Wood is That?: A Manual of Wood Identification. A Studio Book, The Viking Press, New York.

Farmer, R.H.,1972,Handbook of Hardwoods,HMSO

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1945,A Handbook of Empire Timbers,Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Forest Products Research

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1957,Timbers for Flooring,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Bulletin, No.40

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1967,The Steam Bending Properties of various timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Leaflet,No.45

Forest Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1969,The Movement of Timbers,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Technical Note,No.38

Forests Products Research Laboratory, U.K.,1956,A Handbook of Hardwoods,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Department of,Science and Industrial Research, Building Research Establishment

Harrar, E.S.,1942,Some Physical Properties of Modern Cabinet Woods 3. Directional and Volume,Shrinkage,Tropical Woods,9(71, pp26-32

HMSO, 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Hoheisel, H., Arroyo, J.,1966,Resultados Preliminares de las Propiedados Fisicas y Mecanicas de 30,especies,de la Guayana Venezolana,Inst. Forestal Latin Am. de Investigacoin y Capacitacion Venezuela Boletin,No.20-21

I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting

Jackson, A. and D. Day. 1991. Good Wood Handbook - The Woodworker's Guide to Identifying, Selecting and Using the Right Wood. Betterway Publications, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kaiser, J. Wood of the Month: American Beech - A Furniture Favorite. Wood and Wood Products, February, 1993. Page 30.

Kloot, N. H. and E. Bolza. 1961. Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia. Technological Paper No. 12. Division of Forest Products, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Organization, Melbourne, Australia.

Kloot, N.H., Bolza, E.,1961,Properties of Timbers Imported into Australia,C.S.I.R.O. Forest Products Division Technological Paper,No.12

Kukachka, B.F.,1962,Characters of Some Imported Woods,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison,,Foreign Wood Series,No.2242

Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc. Fresno, California.

Little, E.L. 1980. The Audubon Society Guide to North American Trees - Eastern Region. Published by Arthur A. Knopf, New York.

Markwardt, L.J., Wilson, T.R.C.,1935,Strength and related properties of woods grown in the United States,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture Technical Bulletin,No.479

Mullins, E.J. and McKnight, T.S.,1981,Canadian Woods Their Properties and Uses,University of Toronto Press 3rd Edition

Panshin, A.J. and C. deZeeuw. Textbook of Wood Technology. McGraw-Hill Series in Forest Resources. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York.

Patterson, D.,1988,Commercial Timbers of the World, 5th Edition,Gower Technical Press

Redding, L.W.,1971,Resistance of Timbers to Impregnation with Creosote,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Bulletin No.54 pp.43

Rendle, B.J. Editor. 1969. World Timbers, Volume Two - North & South America (Including Central America and the West Indies). Published by Ernest Benn Limited, Bouverie House, Fleet Street, London.

Rendle, B.J.,1969,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Ernest Benn Ltd. London

Smith, D.N.,1959,The Natural Durability of Timber,Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Building Research,Establishment Record,No.30

Timber Development Association Ltd.,1955,World Timbers (3 Vols.,Timber Development Association Ltd.

Titmuss, F.H.,1965,Commercial Timbers of the World,Technical Press Ltd., London, 3rd edition

U.S.D.A. Forest Service,1974,Wood Handbook,U.S.A. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Handbook,72

USDA. 1987. Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material. Agriculture Handbook No. 72. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Madison, Wisconsin.

USDA. 1988. Dry Kiln Operators Manual, Preliminary Copy. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin.

Wolcott, G.N.,1950,An Index to the Termite Resistance of Woods,Agricultural Experimental Station, University of Puerto Rico Bulletin,No.85

Wood, A.D.,1963,Plywoods of the World: Their Development, Manufacture and,Application,Johnston & Bacon Ltd. Edinburgh & London

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