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Illustration—not a verified specimenPaper Birch (Betula papyrifera) wood grain — Janka 910 lbf
Hardwood
Common in U.S.

Paper Birch

Betula papyrifera

Genus: Betula · Family: Betulaceae

Veneer
Furniture
Turning

Quick Facts

Wood Type

Hardwood

Native Range

North America

Avg. Dried Weight

38 lb/ft³

Janka Hardness

910 lbf

Decay Resistance

Perishable

Typical Color

White / Straw

Stability

Medium

Outdoor Suitability

Poor

Workability

Easy

Availability

Common in U.S.

CITES

Unlisted

IUCN

Not Evaluated

Limited data · 2/9

Did You Know?

  • •Paper Birch is harder than 33% of the 137 species in our database.

Janka Hardness Scale

910lbf

Medium

Paper Birch
100
690
1,010
1,360
1,450
1,820
3,510
4,570

Appearance

Heartwood ColorWhite / Straw
GrainStraight
TextureFine, even

Technical Properties

Avg. Dried Weight38 lb/ft³
Specific Gravity (basic)Not recorded
Specific Gravity (12% MC)Not recorded
Janka Hardness910 lbf
Modulus of RuptureNot recorded
Elastic ModulusNot recorded
Crushing StrengthNot recorded
Shrinkage (Radial)Not recorded
Shrinkage (Tangential)Not recorded
Shrinkage (Volumetric)Not recorded
T/R RatioNot recorded
Stability RatingMedium

Sources, Conditions & Safety

No documented references are attached to this profile yet. Its recorded values should not be treated as source-verified.

Wood dust & sensitivity

Species-specific safety information has not been documented here. Absence of a warning does not mean the wood is safe or non-allergenic.

Use dust extraction and appropriate protective equipment; consult occupational-safety guidance. This is not medical advice or food-contact approval.

Durability & Performance

Decay ResistancePerishable
Outdoor SuitabilityPoor

Workability

Overall RatingEasy
Blunting EffectLow

Common Uses

Veneer
Furniture
Turned Objects

Sustainability & Trade

Listings are reference information, not proof of legal sourcing or certification. Verify current trade rules and supplier documentation before buying; absence of a note does not mean unrestricted trade.

CITES StatusUnlisted
IUCN StatusNot Evaluated

Native Distribution

North America

Find Substitutes

AI-powered alternative species matching

Look-Alike Species

Woods with a similar white / straw color that are easily confused with Paper Birch. Recorded differences are shown where data exists; confirm identification with end-grain examination.