Birch

Birch (Betula spp. /Betulaceae). The genus Betula contains about 40 species native to Asia, North America and Europe. All species are identical at the cellular level. In North America, Birches grow from the Tundra in the north throughout Canada, south to Georgia (in the Appalachians). The trees can attain heights of 70 ft, with diameters of more than 2 ft. The wood of Birches varies slightly among species with respect to physical and mechanical properties. The wood of birches is heavy, hard and strong with a fine, uniform texture. The Birches have white sapwood and reddish brown to dark brown heartwood. It is used for lumber (baskets, boxes, cooperage, crates, doors, distillation products, fuel wood, furniture, ice cream sticks, interior finish, pulp wood, tongue depressors, toothpicks, turned products, including spools, bobbins, small handles, toys and woodenware) and veneer (aircraft, furniture, paneling, plywood used for flush doors, radio and television cabinets).

http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/TechSheets/HardwoodNA/pdf_files/betula1.pdf.

Characteristics found in the Birch (Betula spp.)

• Diffuse porous
• Perforation Plates Scalariform (11-50)
• Inter-Vessel Pits Minute (2-3?)
• Rays 1-4 seriate & homocellular

WOOD SLIDES
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CHARCOAL SLIDES