Wood Species
Yellow Birch
Betula alleghaniensis
- Janka hardness
- 1260 lbf
- Specific gravity
- 0.69
- Workability
- Good with hand and machine tools; irregular grain can tear out
Yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) is a domestic hardwood with light reddish-brown heartwood and nearly white sapwood — uniform enough between growth rings that it rarely surprises you.
Working Properties
Yellow birch machines well under both hand and power tools, and turns, glues, and finishes without complaint. Irregular or curly grain will tear out during planing if you push it, so light passes and sharp tools earn their keep. Plain birch lumber prices about like maple or oak, while figured (curly or flame) boards command a real premium over the plain stuff.
Typical Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, flooring, plywood veneer, and turned objects.
Images
Raw Wood: A board of Yellow Birch -- light reddish-brown heartwood with nearly-white sapwood clearly demarcated.
