White Birch is a tree native to the northern parts of North America. Sometimes it is called paper birch or canoe birch. It’s called paper birch because of its thin white bark that often peels in paper-like layers. The name canoe birch comes from the fact that indigenous people in North America used it to make canoes as the bark resists water very well and it made lightweight watercraft.
White Birch in Woodworking
Birch is one of the most commonly used woods in plywood and veneer worldwide. Veneered products include furniture, doors, and paneling.
Birch is a very common tree and thus is economical in price. Knots are very limited. The coloring is quite pale with a hint of light brown or tan.
The subtle light and dark brown pencil-thin streaks in its grain pattern can be confused with hard or white maple, although maple is typically whiter.
While it is a hardwood, Birch is not as dense as other hardwood species such as maple and hickory and therefore is an ideal species for painted finishes on custom high end residential cabinetry and performs excellent in custom retail displays as well.
It accepts clear coat finishes as well and adds a rich light brown depth as it ages.
Birch machines easily and is not taxing on hand tools. Birch sands well, leaving a smooth and even feel and holds glue easily, making it perfect for jointed boards and glued-up panels used in retail display cases and service counters.
Some of its uses include:
- plywood (sustainable)
- veneering, wood trim and molding
- custom wood furniture and fixtures
- custom wood doors
- crafts and custom furniture projects
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