Birch
Other Common Names: Gray Birch, Silver Birch and Swamp Birch
Birch is one of the most popular hardwoods for veneer and interior work. It tends to be a light reddish brown, with nearly white sapwood. Occasionally figured pieces are available with a wide, shallow curl similar to the curl found in Cherry. Generally, Birch is a straight-grained wood with a fine uniform texture. It is often used for furniture, cabinetry, interior finish and veneer.
Birch is also in demand for toys, tool handles, boxes, woodenware and interior doors.
Grades Available:
PROPERTIES
- Machining 4
- Nailing 3
- Screwing 2
- Gluing 3
- Finishing 5
PROPERTIES OF Ash
Birch and is heavy, hard and strong with a fine, uniform texture. Birch takes stain and polish extremely well.
HOW DOES IT COMPARE
| Lumber (12 % moisture content) | Specific Gravity (Density) | Dimensional R (%) | Movement T (%) | Hardness (lbs) | Compression Parallel (ps) | Bending Strength (ps) | Bending Stiffness (kps) | Grain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alder, red (Western) | .41 | 4.4 | 7.3 | 590 | 5,820 | 9,800 | 1,380 | Fine |
| Ash | .60 | 4.9 | 7.8 | 1,320 | 7,410 | 15,400 | 1,770 | FIne |
| Birch, Yellow | .62 | 7.3 | 9.5 | 1,260 | 8,170 | 16,600 | 2,010 | FIne |
| Cherry, Black | .50 | 3.7 | 7.1 | 950 | 7,110 | 12,300 | 1,490 | Mod/Course |
| Hemlock | .45 | 4.2 | 7.8 | 540 | 7,200 | 11,300 | 1,630 | Fine |
| Hickory | .66 | 4.9 | 8.9 | 1,820 | 7,850 | 13,700 | 1,730 | Mod/Course |
| Maple, hard | .63 | 4.8 | 9.9 | 1,450 | 7,830 | 15,800 | 1,830 | Fine |
| Maple, PC | .48 | 3.7 | 7.1 | 850 | 5,950 | 10,700 | 1,450 | Fine |
| Maple, soft | .47 | 3.0 | 7.2 | 700 | 5,220 | 8,900 | 1,140 | Fine |
| Oak, red | .63 | 4.0 | 8.6 | 1,290 | 6,760 | 14,300 | 1,820 | Course |
| Oak, white | .68 | 4.4 | 8.8 | 1,360 | 7,440 | 15,200 | 1,780 | Mod/Course |
| Poplar, yellow | .42 | 4.6 | 8.2 | 450 | 5,290 | 9,200 | 1,500 | Fine |
| Walnut, black | .55 | 5.5 | 7.8 | 1,010 | 7,580 | 14,600 | 1,680 | Medium |
