Common Uses

Bobbins, Broom handles, Brush backs & handles, Cabinetmaking, Dowells, Flooring, Furniture, Joinery, Marquetry, Paneling, Plywood, Posts, Turnery, Veneer.

Category	Green	Dry	Unit
Bending Strength	8645	16910	psi
Max. Crushing Strength	3667	8342	psi
Impact Strength	30	41	inches
Stiffness	1540	2065	1000 psi
Work to Maximum Load	13	18	in-lbs/in3
Hardness		1230	lbs
Shearing Strength		2068	psi
Specific Gravity		0.66
Weight	50	42	lbs/cu.ft.
Density (Air-dry)		41	lbs/cu.ft.

Species Distribution

REGIONS: Eastern Europe, Mediterranean Sea Region, Western Europe. COUNTRIES: CIS, Finland, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

Physical and Environmental Profile

Environmental Profile The conservation status of this species within its natural habitat has not been officially assessed. Distribution The natural growth range of the species is reported to be throughout Europe, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia. It is reported to be usually widely scattered in the more open types of woodlands, particularly on poor sandy or gravelly soils. The tree is reported to often rapidly colonize cleared forest lands. Product Sources It is currently unknown whether lumber and other timber products from this species are available from environmentally responsible sources. European birch is reported to be difficult to obtain except in the form of plywood, and very limited quantities of it in the form of veneers are available on the European market. Prices are reported to be within the range of that of the lower cost hardwoods, when available. Tree Data The tree is considered small, reaching heights of 60 to 70 feet (18 to 21 m), with trunk diameters of 24 to 36 inches (60 to 100 cm). Trees growing in pure stands in Scandinavia are reported to produce straight boles that are clean for about 30 feet (9 m). Boles of Birch trees in the British Isles are reported to be often crooked and irregular since they are usually found in mixed stands. Birch trees are often attacked by Polyporous betulinis , a wood-rotting fungi. Heartwood Color The wood is reported to have very little variation in color, and is almost white or very light brown. There is no distinct difference between heartwood and sapwood. Grain Grain is typically straight, and the wood is described as rather plain in appearance with no conspicuous features. Texture Texture is described as fine and even. Luster The wood is lustrous. Odor There is no distinct odor or taste. Ease of Drying Conditions that will promote rapid drying have been recommended since the wood is highly vulnerable to fungal attack. Shrinkage Green to 12% MC Radial = 5.0% Tangential = 8.0% Drying Defects Distortion is reported to be a common degrade in both air-seasoning and kiln drying. Kiln Schedules Schedule F (4/4) United Kingdom. Movement in Service The wood is reported to have good dimensional stability, and shows only small movement in use. Natural Durability European birch is reported to have very little resistance to attack by decay causing fungi and other wood destroying insects such as the common furniture beetle. The wood is reported to be immune from attack by the powder-post beetle. Resistance to Impregnation The heartwood is reported to be fairly difficult to treat with preservatives, but the sapwood is permeable. Preservative treated Birch is reported to be suitable for posts. Blunting Effect The wood is reported to have moderate dulling effect on cutting edges. Veneering Qualities Larger sized Birch trees, which are common in Scandinavia, are reported to be peeled into veneers for plywood. Cutting Resistance Cross-cutting and narrow bandsawing are reported to be satisfactory, but the wood tends to be woolly. Planing Planing properties are rated as satisfactory but the wood tends to be woolly. A reduced cutting angle of 15 degrees has been recommended to prevent irregular grain around knots and cross-grain from tearing. Turning The wood is reported to be very good for turnery work. Boring European birch is reported to respond well to ordinary tools in boring and other machining operations, although worked surfaces tend to be woolly. Gluing Gluing characteristics are reported to be good. Nailing Pre-boring is recommended when nailing close to edges of material containing irregular grain. Polishing The wood is reported to polish to yield a good finish. Staining Staining qualities are reported to be good. It is considered a good substrate for colored stain finishes. Its lack of color and figure is reported to make it highly suitable for staining to match other woods. Steam Bending Material free from pin knots and irregular grain is reported to bend well, but these features are regularly present in birch. Strength Properties Strength properties are reported to be comparable to those of European beech (Fagus). Seasoned Silver birch is reported to be similar to Ash (Fraxinus) in toughness. Bending strength in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content) is very high. Compression strength parallel to grain is also high. Hardness is rated as medium, weight is high, and density is high.

References

Numeric Data Source Lavers, G.M. 1967. The Strength Properties of Timbers. Forest Products Research Bulletin, No. 50 (Spersedes Bulletin No. 45). Ministry of Technology, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. Descriptive Data Source HMSO. 1985. Broadleaves. Forestry Commission Booklet No. 20. Text by H.E. Edlin. Revised by A.F. Mitchell. Forestry Commission, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London. HMSO. 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc. Fresno, California. Nairn, P.M., Editor. 1936. Wood Specimens - 100 Reproductions in Color - A Series of Selected Timbers Reproduced in Natural Color with Introduction and Annotations by H.A. Cox. The Nema Press, Proprietors of Wood, London. British Woodworking Federation. 1995. Which Wood . Published by the British Woodworking Federation, Broadway House, Tothill Street, London.

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