Two main varieties of birch for building purposes are yellow and white.
White birch hardwood or softwood.
Some examples of hardwoods include maple oak alder birch cherry hickory mahogany and walnut.
Heartwood tends to be a light reddish brown with nearly white sapwood.
Occasionally figured pieces are available with a wide shallow curl similar to the curl found in cherry there is virtually no color distinction between annual growth rings giving birch a somewhat dull uniform appearance.
Yellow birch varies from pale yellow to white in colour with reddish brown heartwood.
And softwood comes from conifer trees that are generally evergreen.
In general hardwood comes from deciduous trees leafy or flowering trees that generally lose their leaves in winter.
Birch is reserved for butcher blocks some tool handles and specialty.
Natural colour or red heart is often sought after for it s character colour range.
There are over a dozen species of birch trees native to north america but the most common are white birch yellow birch and black birch.
Western white birch this birch lumber is usually creamy white but a central brownish natural or red heart core is often present.
Betula alleghaniensis common names.
Birch is a native hardwood that comes from the genus betula.
White birch has a whiter colour resembling the light creamy colours of maple wood and can be indistinguishable between the two.
Yellow birch and white birch are the two most commonly found in woodworking.
Other soft hardwoods.