Wood species
Flame Birch
Figured birch · Betula spp.
Our kiln-dried domestic Sweet Flame Birch is an excellent choice for a reasonably hard, highly figured wood. Like Curly Maple and other figured woods you must plane in very small passes to avoid tearout.
Key facts
- Janka hardness
- MediumAbout 1,470 lb — harder than many softwoods; still workable
- Stability
- AverageRadial ~6.5% · Tangential ~9%
- Grain type
- Wavy & figuredEven texture with flame/chatoyant figure
- Rot resistance
- Indoor useSold for furniture and interiors
- Sustainability
- UnlistedCITES and IUCN unlisted
- Workability
- Generally goodWork slowly on figure to limit tear-out
About this wood
This wood is an incredible value and makes wonderful boxes, furniture, and turned items. It’s a looker with just a clear coat, but stains and dyes can be used to bring out the figure in an even more dramatic way.
What we carry
- Flame birch for figured boxes, furniture faces, and turnings
Thickness is sold in quarters (4/4, 6/4, and so on) — see our hardwood thickness guide. Grades: NHLA grades.