Texture Browser

Botanical Name

Betula verrucosa Ehrh., Betula alba L., Betula gummifera Bertol., Betula major Gilib. (Fam. Betulaceae)

Trade Names

Birke, Weißbirke,Trauerbirke, Silver birch, Bouleau blanc, Bouillard, Bidollo

Substitution

technical: sometimes for Maple, Aningeria/ Longhi blanc, European Hornbeam, Limba, Ramin, European Beech; as a finished surface; stained as American Mahogany, Cherry, Walnut

Indigenous to

The tree grows all across North and Northeastern Europe, especially in the Scandinavian countries, Baltic states, Karelia and in the North-west Russia as quality wood

Characteristics

European Birch is medium-heavy, firm, hard and very flexible. The sapwood is thin, nearly white, the heartwood is ivory colored. The texture is fine. At the typically diffuse-porous hardwood the pores are visible as fine light-colored scores on the perfect smooth cross section. The annual ring limits will be marked by small dark summerwood stripes and occasional visible marginal parenchyma bands. The soft yellowish to reddish-white wood hardly yellows.