Distribution: Yellow
birch is reported to occur in Lebanon, New Brunswick, Newfoundland,
Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec in
Canada. Its growth range in the United States is reported
to be Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts,
Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Delaware,
Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Iowa, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Tennessee Valley, Illinois, Virginia,
Vermont, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. The tree is usually
found growing with other hardwoods and conifers in cool moist
upland soils, including mountain ravines. Birch is also reported
to grow in Northern Europe and Northern Asia. The tree is
described as very hardy and can even survive at the polar
regions. Some dwarf races of Birch are reported to survive
in the Arctic tundra, on the perma-frost soils that are usually
frozen over during most of the year.
General Characteristics: Fresh
sawn logs produce a distinct aromatic fragrance. Leaves
and bark of the tree have a sweet birch beer flavor, which
is the source of extract for the manufacture of birch beer.
In European countries the Birch trees are tapped much like
Maple to provide sap to be made into Birch Wine. The
fully grown tree is reported to be often 70 to 100 feet
(21 to 30 m) in height and 30 inches (80 cm) in diameter.
Birch bark is reported to be full of natural waxes that
render it waterproof. The tough and durable bark is also
reported to remain in the soil long after the inside of
the tree has rotted away. The birch tree is reported to
be rather short-lived, and rarely exceeds 80 years of age.
The heartwood is light to dark brown or reddish brown.
The sapwood is described as whitish, pale yellow or light
reddish brown. The sapwood is reported to be sometimes
marketed as 'white basswood. Texture is fine and even;
the grain is reported to be typically straight, but some
logs may contain wavy or curly grain. Birch is described
as one of the most featureless of all North American hardwoods,
but it has a natural pleasing figure which makes it very
attractive for furniture. Annual rings, grain and pores
are often indistinct, and a uniform scattering of fine
pores or vessels throughout the material gives it a dull
and lusterless appearance. There is no distinctive odor
or taste.
Weight: Basic specific gravity
(ovendry weight/green volume) 0.62; air-dry density N/A.
Working Properties: Material
containing irregular grain is reported to be generally
difficult to machine in most operations and may be accompanied
by some grain tearing unless cutting angles are reduced.
Straight-grained wood is reported to work without too much
difficulty. Yellow birch is reported to have very good
turning properties. Boring characteristics are reported
to be very good. The wood has exceptional mortising properties. Carefully
controlled conditions are reported to be required for best
results. The wood is reported to have poor nailing properties. Screwing
properties are reported to be rather poor. Sanding properties
are reported to be only fair. The timber is reported to
have very good steam bending properties.
Durability: The species
is reported to have little natural resistance to decay,
and will deteriorate rather rapidly if exposed to damp,
outside conditions without proper chemical protection.
Preservation: The heartwood
is reported to be fairly or moderately resistant to preservative
treatment.
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