River Birch
Betula nigra
Hardness
On the soft side; easy to work, but marks with hard use.
Overview
A softer, less common birch with attractive curly figure sometimes found in flooded bottomland trees.
Commonly built
- Furniture
- Turned bowls
- Cabinetry
Appearance
Light brown with a reddish tint; occasionally shows curly or wavy figure.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Works similarly to other birches, softer and easier on tools than yellow birch. Glues and finishes well.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn river birch panel moves roughly 0.51 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does River Birch move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is River Birch?
River Birch has a Janka hardness of 780 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is River Birch suitable for outdoor use?
River Birch is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is River Birch to work with?
River Birch has Good workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does River Birch move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn river birch panel moves roughly 0.51 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used river birch, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.