Yellow Birch

General
Good, versatile all-purpose wood. Has many applications and is a favourite for “natural” look furniture. Usually sold unselected for colour. Sap birch (all sap or whitewood cuttings) or red birch (all heartwood cuttings) are both specified because of the distinct colour difference.

Colour
 Sapwood is creamy white to light yellow; heartwood is reddish brown.

Physical Properties
 Heavy and hard. High in shock-resistance

Working Properties
Machines easily bends well, turns well.

Applications
Furniture, paneling, mouldings, millwork, flooring and cabinetwork.

Price
Yellow birch: average to high range. Red birch: rare and therefore expensive.

 

 

 

White Birch

General
Also called paper birch. Tends to be whiter than yellow birch. Similar characteristics as soft maple is to hard maple.

Colour
Creamy white sapwood and pale brown heartwood.

Physical Properties
Slightly lighter and softer than yellow birch.

Working Properties
 Works very well. Shapes, blends, turns and stains very well. Often bleaches different shades for different effects.

Applications
Used for specialties like Popsicle sticks, toothpicks, clothespins, woodenware, and hockey stick blades. Has come into its own in strong and economical furniture lines.

Price
Average to high price range.