The important species of birch are yellow birch, sweet birch and paper birch. They grow principally in the
Northeastern and Lake States. Yellow and sweet birch also grow along the Appalachian Mountains to northern Georgia. They are the source of most birch lumber and veneer.
Yellow birch has white sapwood and light reddish-brown heartwood. Sweet birch has light-colored sapwood and dark brown heartwood tinged with red. The wood is fine and consistent in texture.
Birch veneer is classified by coloration into three basic groups: natural, select white and select dark. Natural birch contains unlimited amounts of heartwood and sapwood. Select white birch contains only light-colored sapwood. Select dark birch contains only red or brown heartwood.
Yellow and sweet birch lumber and veneer are used principally in the manufacture of furniture, baskets,
cooperage, interior finish and doors. Birch veneer is processed into plywood used for flush doors, paneling, cabinetry and other specialty products.
