White Birch

White Birch - Betula alleghaniensis

General Description
• Both Pink (Red) Birch and White Birch are from the Yellow Birch tree. Pink Birch is the heartwood and White Birch is the Sapwood.
• Yellow birch has a white sapwood and light reddish brown heartwood
• Generally straight-grained with a fine uniform texture
• Generally characterized by a plain and often curly or wavy pattern

Physical Properties
• Heavy, hard and strong
• Has very good bending properties, with good crushing strength and shock resistance
• Janka Rating System = 1260 (higher Janka rating = harder wood)

Where It Grows
• Eastern U.S., principally Northern and Lake states
• The average tree is 60 to 70 feet in height
• Birch prefers valleys and stream banks although it adapts itself to higher grounds

Relative Abundance
• 0.7 percent of total U.S. hardwoods commercially available
• Reasonable availability, but more limited if selected for color.

Did You Know?
• Eastern native Americans stretched birch bark on their canoe frames and used birch for their arrows
• The birch is New Hampshire's state tree
• The oil extracted from the bark contains a chemical used to treat rheumatism and inflammations

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  White Birch Select

  Cut from the sapwood of the Birch specie, White Birch Select is known for a consistent white to light tan color in comparison to Pink Birch Select. As with all Select Grade materials, it will feature a minimal amount of color variation, and a reduced allowance for other natural characteristics like pin knots and mineral streaks.
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  White Birch

  White Birch is known for a consistent white to light tan color in comparison to Pink Birch. When used in drawer boxes, it will feature a minimal amount of color variation, and a reduced allowance for other natural characteristics like pin knots and mineral streaks. Drawer Boxes allow for color variation and some heartwood.
• 
  Birch Natural

  Natural Birch is cut from material containing both heartwood and sapwood, which will have an allowance for a "calico" mix of both Pink and White tones. It may also contain other Natural Grade characteristics such as small closed knots, pin knots, mineral streaks and color variation.
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  Birch Natural Panel / Alder Natural Frame

  A Birch Natural panel with Alder Natural frame will feature an allowance for most natural characteristics in the material. Color and grain variation, mineral streaks, small closed knots, and pin knots may also be seen in this material. It is commonly used on recessed panel doors as a paint grade option. The panel may include some "calico" mix of heartwood and sapwood.
• 
  Birch Natural Cabinet Grade

  Used for Sheet Goods, Birch Natural Cabinet Grade offers similar color and grain characteristics as Birch Natural including a "calico" mix of red/pink tones in the heartwood and light brown/tan/white tones in the sapwood. However, this material is usually offered with more natural defects and is typically used as a more economical option with a lower grade face and back. Due to the natural characteristics and variations, this material is not recommended for clear finishes or use on End Panels.
• 
  Birch Import Unfinished

  Import Birch Natural Unfinished for Streamline RTA Cabinets is cut from material containing both heartwood and sapwood, which will have an allowance for a "calico" mix of both dark (Pink) and light (White) tones. It may also contain other Natural Grade characteristics such as small closed knots, pin knots, mineral streaks and color variation. Import Birch is available from our Southern CA manufacturing facility.
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  Birch Import Prefinished

  Import Birch Natural Prefinished for Streamline RTA Cabinets is cut from material containing both heartwood and sapwood, which will have an allowance for a "calico" mix of both dark (Pink) and light (White) tones. It may also contain other Natural Grade characteristics such as small closed knots, pin knots, mineral streaks and color variation. Prefinished material is clear coated on both sides. Import Birch is available from our Southern CA manufacturing facility.