Paper Birch


Name Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)
Type Hardwood.
Other Names Also known as canoe birch, red birch, silver birch, white birch, Canadian white birch and Kenai birch.
Sources Grows in Canada and northern United States.
Appearance Straight grained with a fine, even texture. Pale-brown heartwood and creamy white sapwood.
Physical Props Moderately hard and heavy (lighter than other birches) with moderate shock resistance, stiffness and bending strength. Poor decay resistance and dimensional stability.
Working Props Machines fairly well although it sometimes chips and tears during planing. Has moderate blunting effect on cutting edges. Excellent turning properties. Glues, stains and finishes satisfactorily. Susceptible to splitting – pre-drilling recommended for screws.
Uses Once used by American Indians to make canoes, now mainly used for plywood. Other uses include turnery – spools, bobbins, dowels and novelties, crates, toys, cooperage, baskets, ice cream spoons, medical spatulas, veneer, paneling, and pulp for writing paper.
Comments Resembles maple and is often used interchangeably with it.