The name ‘European birch’ is representative of a number of birch species found in Europe; around 60 species are known worldwide. The native birch(Betula alba) is used as well as the bog birch(B. pubenscens) or the Nordic birch (B. pendula var. karelica). The species are distributed throughout northern, central and eastern Europe.
All woods of the Betula genus are characterized by a uniform structure and medium-fine pores. The sapwood and the outer part of the heartwood is white to light brown, the late wood zones, similar to sycamore maple, have a subtle yellowish brown color. In the core area, some types of wood are rather dark, i.e. brown or gray-brown in color, depending on the location. Overall, a rather plain, partly decorative wood with a natural, silky sheen (wavy grain). Exceptions to this are woods with growth anomalies (stunted growth, burl, intergrowth due to frost, insect infestation or genetic influences).
The specific weight of European birch of the medium density class is given as approx. 0.65 t/m3 at a wood moisture content of 12%. Comparable to sycamore maple in terms of processing and drying. The stamina is only satisfactory. The shrinkage from fiber saturation to u=12% is 5.0% radial and 8.0% tangential. Birch is an elastic wood; the E-modulus is 16,500 N/mm2. Depending on where it grows, the Brinell hardness is given as 23-32. The wood is easy to work with all tools and produces smooth surfaces. Wood is sensitive to fungi and is not durable.
Furniture making, turnery, knife handles, veneers, musical instrument making
| Sources: |
Wood Information Service (1987), leaflet series on wood species, sheet no. 93 ditto (1998) Domestic timber and its use WAGENFüHR (1996) Wood atlas |
