Red birch is essentially the heartwood of the black birch tree. Black birch has a creamy yellow sapwood and a darker reddish brown heartwood.. The wood has a fine, even texture and is classified as heavy and strong. It is very hard with a relative rating of 1470.
Red figured birch may be referred to as “flame” or “curly” birch. While the term “curly” may refer to either figured yellow or figured red birch, the term “flame” is reserved for figured red birch. .” It has a much looser and more open “curl” pattern than does curly maple.
Distribution of birch trees is principally in the Northeast and Lake States, growing as far south as northern Georgia
Birch has a wide variety of uses including furniture, flooring, interior woodwork, and doors.