Silver birch (Betula pendula) or downy birch (Betula pubescens) grows in Northern Europe and is a pioneer tree, it is therefore spread all over the world. In Scandinavian countries, but even more so in Russia birch has a great importance for woodworkers, the wood is used as a carving and turning wood, especially as veneer for furniture it is widely used. The wood is fine grained, hard and dense, yellowish white, reddish to light brown, it ages rapidly to a beautiful golden yellow color with a deep luster shine. Sapwood and heartwood are the same color. Smooth surfaces of birch wood have an attractive silky sheen. Birch wood can be turned, planed and carved very well, surfaces can be stained, polished and painted easily, they achieve a beautiful grip and feel. Flamed birch or ice birch is a sought after grain irregularity, the structure is flamelike curly or shows cloudy ice flower patterns, that are created by particularly wavy grain structure and is very decorative.
