Birch Wood

Types of Birch Wood

White Birch vs Yellow Birch vs Black Birch

Betula alleghaniensis - Yellow Birch

Native to eastern Canada and the eastern US.

Betula Borealis - Northern Birch

Native to Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Betula Caerulea, Betula cordifolia - Blue Birch, Mountain Paper Birch

Native to the northeastern US and eastern Canada.

Betula Glandulosa - Resin Birch, American Dwarf Birch

Native to the mountain regions of the western US and New England, as well as Canada and various parts of the world.

Betula Lenta Sweet Birch, Cherry Birch, Black Birch

Native to the eastern US, Quebec and Ontario.

Betula Minor Dwarf White Birch

Native to the mountains of northern New England and the Adirondacks as well as eastern Canada.

Betula Murrayana Murray's Birch

Native to the Great Lakes region.

Betula Nana Dwarf Birch, Bog Birch

Native to the northwestern US, parts of New England, eastern Canada, and other parts of the world.

Betula Neoalaskana Alaskan Paper Birch, Alaska Birch, Resin Birch

Native to Alaska and most of Canada.

Betula Nigra River Birch, Black Birch

Native to the eastern US.

Betula Occidentalis Water Birch, Red Birch

Native to Alaska and the western US as well as most of Canada.

Betula Papyrifera Paper Birch, Canoe Birch, American White Birch

Native to the northern US, Alaska, and most of Canada.

Betula Populifolia Gray Birch

Native to the northeastern US and eastern Canada.

Betula Uber Virginia Round-Leaf Birch)

Native to Virginia.

Frequently Asked Questions About Yellow Birch Wood

Although birch wood was used quite a bit in the 1960s and 1970s for furniture and cabinetry, it isn’t used much today by craftsmen. However, because many people remember it being in their homes all those years ago, it’s something that gets researched with regularity. A few of the most common questions about birch wood are answered below.

What Color is Birch Wood?

The most prized part of the tree where birch is concerned is the sapwood or outermost section of the tree. It’s usually more of a creamy white, but can be almost a pure white in some cases. It develops a yellowish-red tint with age. The innermost portion, or the heartwood, also gets some use. It’s more of a reddish-brown.

Why Does Birch Wood Change Colors Over Time?

Yellow birch wood has many uses. It’s one of the more robust varieties, which is why it was initially used in furniture. Nowadays, yellow birch wood is mostly used for utilitarian purposes. It’s still incorporated into furniture because it’s strong, but typically only in parts that are not seen, such as the frame of an upholstered chair or in shelving.

It’s also worth noting that the trees have other uses. For example, they produce a sap which can be made into syrup. It’s not quite as sweet as maple, but it has a following none-the-less. The papery bark gets used as kindling too. Although the wood, itself, doesn’t burn easily, the bark works well to get fires burning and will even ignite while wet. Oil of wintergreen can be distilled from the bark as well.

What Does the Grain Pattern of Birch Wood Look Like?

Birch wood is typically straight-grained with a fine and even texture, though some pieces have more of a wavy grain and others may possess a curl quite like cherry.

Is Birch Wood a Hardwood or a Softwood?

The term “hardwood” refers to wood which comes from a dicot tree, such as a broadleaf variety, while the term “softwood” means the wood comes from a gymnosperm, such as a needle variety. It doesn’t necessarily relate to how durable the wood is, but it’s often an indicator.

Those familiar with what a birch tree looks like can then easily identify it as a dicot or hardwood based on its leaves. Others in the same group include cherry, oak, walnut, and maple. On the flip side, options like fir, cedar, and pine, have needles. They’re gymnosperm trees, and thus are softwoods.

How Dense/Hard is Birch Wood?

To identify the actual hardness or durability of any given wood type, wood is assessed on the Janka Scale. During a Janka Test, a small metal ball is pressed into the wood until its halfway embedded. The amount of force needed to do so is recorded and the wood will then have a “pounds of force” rating or “Janka” value.

In the case of Yellow Birch wood, it takes 1,260 pounds of force to embed the ball, so it’s rated 1,260 lbf or 1,260 Janka. It would literally take the weight of several grown adults to cause significant damage to a piece of yellow birch wood, so it is incredibly durable. That said, it only beats out black cherry and black walnut by a small margin. Red oak, ash, white oak, and sugar maple all top it.

Where Does Yellow Birch Wood Come From?

Although there are many varieties of birch across the globe, most birch in the United States comes from the yellow birch tree, also known by the scientific name Betula alleghaniensis Britt.

Where Do Yellow Birch Trees Grow?

Yellow birch trees grow across the eastern side of North America. They’re native as far north as Quebec and as far south as Georgia, but stop growing in a western direction at Minnesota and Iowa.

How Big Are Yellow Birch Trees?

It’s common for yellow birch trees to reach 60-80 feet tall, though a few will hit 100 feet. They can grow to have a 3-foot diameter as well. That being said, if left to their own devices, these trees will live for 150 years or more, with some surviving as long as 300 years.

How Can I Tell if the Furniture I Have is Yellow Birch Wood?

Particularly where the light sapwood is concerned, yellow birch wood has a unique color that makes it a bit easier to distinguish. The lack of luster is often a dead giveaway too. When these features are paired with a wavy or curl grain, it becomes even more apparent.

The difficulty, however, is that yellow birch wood is not an expensive wood, so chances are nobody is going to try to pass off another wood type as being birch. The inverse is not necessarily true, so it’s always better to get wood furniture straight from the craftsman or a reputable retailer to ensure authenticity.

Can Birch Wood Furniture Go Outside?

It’s never a good idea to put solid wood outdoors. Even if it does have a protective coating, the elements will eventually cause damage and maintaining pieces requires a considerable amount of time. When it comes to yellow birch wood, it’s even more important to keep it indoors. It is highly-susceptible to rot and infestation.

Those hoping to create a comfortable outdoor living space would do much better with a wood-look product, such as the Polywood collection offered by Vermont Woods Studios. While it has the appearance and feel of natural wood, it’s actually made of all-weather recycled high-density plastic. This means it can withstand the elements without any maintenance. We’re so confident it will last and maintain its beauty that we offer a lifetime quality guarantee.

Is Birch Wood Eco-friendly? Are Birch Trees Endangered?

Yellow birch trees fall into the lowest-risk endangerment category. The species, as a whole, is secure. However, the state of Illinois considers it to be endangered, meaning their yellow birch counts are dwindling. This is not seen in other parts of the country.

Beyond this, it’s safe to consider birch wood to be eco-friendly. The trees grow in abundance throughout North America and, in choosing any kind of local robust natural wood product, consumers are preventing “junk” furniture from winding up in landfills and minimizing their carbon footprint.

What to Look for When Purchasing Birch Furniture

Again, most craftsmen have moved away from using birch wood because other wood types can deliver similar coloring or grain patterns. However, those searching for natural wood furniture of any type should always look for the following:

• Authenticity: Is it solid yellow birch wood as opposed to a veneer?
• Craftsmanship: Is the piece built well?
• Quality: Does it come with a lifetime quality guarantee?
• Eco-Friendliness: Is the wood sustainably-sourced, ideally from a local producer?

Alternatives to Birch Wood

True, some people are simply drawn to yellow birch wood because it evokes nostalgia, and in these cases, it’s quite likely alternatives simply won’t do. However, those attracted to it for the color and durability will likely be even happier with maple, while those drawn to some of the more uncommon grain patterns or reddish hues will appreciate cherry. Oak can be on the lighter side as well, so it may be a good alternative for some too.