Red Birch

Sources

North America

Other Names

Cherry or Black Birch

Characteristics

This is the heartwood of the yellow birch tree

Milling

Difficult to mill when there is figure in the wood

Shaping

Leaves a good edge

Finishing

Can be finished to look like cherry

Key Uses

Furniture, Cabinetry & Flooring

Comments

Typically the stock is sold as "red one face", meaning: 100% red on one side, 50% or less of red on reverse. The figured wood is highly desirable.

Reference 1: Gibbs, N. (2005). The Real Wood Bible.
Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books.

Reference 2: Flynn, J.H. & Holder, C.D. (2001).
A Guide to Useful Woods of the World.
Madison, WI: Forest Products Society.