Other Common Names/Trade Names: Paper birch
Scientific Name: Betula alleghaniensis, Betula papyrifera
Best Characteristics for Identification: Pores wider than the rays. Diffuse porous. Hard.
Uses: Lumber, veneer, cabinetry, furniture, turning products, toothpicks, tongue depressors, etc. Pulp.
General Natural Range: Yellow birch: Minnesota east to Canadian Maritimes. South along the Appalachian mountains to North Carolina.
White birch: Transcontinental from Alaska to Newfoundland along the northern treeline. South to Iowa and Pennsylvania.
Identical or Nearly Identical Species: Sweet birch.
Other Species Easily Confused With: Maples, red alder.
Means of Distinguishing Similar Species : Maples have rays wider than the pores, whereas the birches have pores wider than the rays. Red alder frequently has aggregate rays and ages to a darker reddish brown color than the birches have.