Most likely River Birch; alternatives include Paper Birch or a young Gray Birch.
Betula nigra (alternatives: Betula papyrifera or Betula populifolia) · Hardwood (deciduous); image shows bark rather than exposed wood.
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect- Type
- Hardwood (deciduous); image shows bark rather than exposed wood.
- Origin
- Eastern and central United States, especially wet bottomlands and stream margins.
- Hardness
- River birch: about 1,260 lbf Janka—Hard.
- Durability
- Slightly durable; birch heartwood generally has limited resistance to decay, insects, and prolonged weathering.
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Grain Pattern
Not assessable because no end grain or cut face is visible. Birch wood is typically fine-textured with generally straight, sometimes wavy grain.
Color & Appearance
The bark is gray-brown to silvery, with distinctive horizontally peeling, papery plates and darker fissures; exposed birch wood is usually pale cream to light brown with modest luster.
Hardness (Janka)
River birch: about 1,260 lbf Janka—Hard.
Durability & Decay Resistance
Slightly durable; birch heartwood generally has limited resistance to decay, insects, and prolonged weathering.
Value & Age
Typical birch lumber: approximately $4–$9 per board foot, varying substantially by grade and region.
AI estimate for general guidance only — not a professional appraisal. Actual value depends on grade, dimensions, condition, and local market demand.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Cannot estimate from bark alone; the tree appears mature, but sample age and bark age are indeterminate.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, turned objects, plywood, interior trim, pulp, and firewood; river birch is also valued ornamentally.
Geographic Origin
Eastern and central United States, especially wet bottomlands and stream margins.
Workability
Machines and sands well, though its hardness can cause moderate tool wear; gluing and finishing are generally straightforward.
Finish Recommendations
For exposed wood, use a sanding sealer followed by lacquer, shellac, oil, or polyurethane; birch can blotch, so conditioner or washcoat may help.
Notable Features
The strongly exfoliating, layered bark is the key diagnostic feature; the trunk’s wet-site growth habit also supports river birch.
