Paper Birch (White Birch)
Betula papyrifera • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, fine, and uniform grain with a plain cathedral figure on flat-sawn surfaces; small pith and circular growth rings are visible in this branch section.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light reddish-brown, while the sapwood (dominant in young branches) is nearly white to creamy yellow. It has a low luster and tends to yellow slightly with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
910 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Non-durable; highly susceptible to rot and decay if exposed to moisture, though the bark itself is highly decay-resistant.
Common Uses
Paper pulp, fuel wood, crates, boxes, plywood, turned objects like spools and bobbins, and decorative rustic crafts.
Geographic Origin
Northern North America, across Canada and the northern United States.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$4.00 - $6.00 per board foot for dimensional lumber; sample shown is a raw branch with negligible commercial value.
Wood Age Estimate
Estimated 4 to 6 years based on the count of visible annual growth rings in the branch cross-section.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and not listed on CITES appendices; often FSC certified.
Workability
Easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though it can experience tearout during planing if grain is slightly wavy. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Features characteristic white, peeling, papery bark with horizontal lenticels; the wood has no characteristic odor or taste and is generally low in toxicity.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes well. Polyurethane or lacquer is recommended to prevent yellowing; shellac also provides a classic look.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the distinctive white papery bark, small diameter branch structure, and light diffuse-porous end grain is characteristic of young Betula papyrifera.