Birch Identity card

Scientific name: Betula

Classification: Family Betulaceae

Number of species: 4 in Europe

White birch

Scientific name: Betula pendula

Maximum tree height: 25 m

Maximum tree diameter: 10 m

Density: 0,65 to 0,70 

Wood characteristics: Whitish wood with brown or pink reflections. Sapwood not distinct. Fine grain. Half hard and half heavy. Sometimes presence of counter-thread which gives an appreciated figuration in veneer.

Mechanical properties: Elastic wood. Very good flexural strength. Good compressive and impact strengths. 

Technological properties: Fairly easy sawing. Unrolls, slices and sticks well. Rather fast drying.