AMERICAN YELLOW BIRCH: B
Similar to Hard Maple but slightly softer. Sample B is stock selected for white, sample C is stock selected as colour no defect.

Production: S/E.

Betula alleghaniensis
Family: Betulaceae

Commercial names : Hard Birch, Betula Wood (Canada); Canadian Yellow Birch, Quebec Birch, American Birch (UK); Grey, Silver or Swamp Birch USA.

Distribution: Canada and USA.

General description: There is a wide range of colour differences in unselected parcels, but when stained will not show a marked difference between light yellow sap and reddish brown heartwood. It is straight, close-grained, the texture is fine and even. Weight about 710 kg/m3 (44lb/ft3); specific gravity 0.71.

Mechanical properties: The wood bending classification is very good, with high bending strength, crushing strength and resistance to shock loads.

Seasoning: Dries rather slowly with little degrade; large movement in service.

Working properties: The wood works fairly easily with only a moderate dulling effect on cutters and finishes smoothly if straight grained. Curly grained material, or disturbed grain around knots requires a reduced cutting angle of 15°. It glues well with care and takes stain and polish extremely well. Its uniform, dense surface, free from large groups of pores, makes it unequalled as a base for white enamelling and guarantees a permanent smooth finish.

Durability: Liable to attack by common furniture beetle. Moderately resistant to preservative treatment, but the sapwood ispermeable. The wood is perishable.

Uses: Furniture, high grade joinery and flooring. Turnery, bobbins, shuttles, spools, cooperage, upholstery frames, high-grade plywood manufacture.

JBT Comments: This first grade material is not at present widely available in the UK. Whereas the second grade frame stock material is readily available and is often a mix of Yellow and White Birch and Hard and Soft Maple. We do not stock this lower grade material and stress that our stock is first quality only. It is an excellent timber for staining as a substitute for Cherry and has been used in this form for many years by French furniture manufacturers. The North American specifications for Yellow Birch refer to “Selected” and “Unselected” this reference is to the colour and not the grade. Sometimes the sapwood of the Yellow Birch is referred to as White Birch (often confused with Betula papyrifera which is true white/paper Birch) and the heartwood, as Red Birch.

Grade: Export Grade 80% FAS 20% FAS IF or better Unselected for colour.

Specification: Square edge; 8ft and longer. 5ins and wider, allowing up to 10% 6ft/7ft and/or 4 ins.

Stockholding: 1in, 11/2ins and 2ins thickness available to order, normally 4/6 weeks.