Baltic Birch in the U.P.?

[snoluver1]

Got a tree question, and wondering if some yooper logger types can help shed some light.

I don't know a whole lot about different wood species. I'm curious if Baltic Birch is a common species in the Yoop? I know there is some Birch up there, but is it Baltic Birch?

A quick Google search says it grows in Finland. Since a lot of people came to the U.P from Finland, because of the similar climate, I wondered if they brought their trees with them?

Thanks!

 

[anonomoose]

I believe you have answered your own question.

White and Yellow birch are native species but and unless this is some localized name for one of the later, it isn't a native species.

I picture a Fin...grasping a potted Baltic Birch and say'n...."....Olie....I'm a plant'n dis in dah U.P....to remind me of dah homeland....den, I am cutt'n it down and use'n the wood to make a wholly big batch of pasties!" "Guard this tree wid your life....and we will plant it out at deer camp...."

 

[snoluver1]

I picture a Fin...grasping a potted Baltic Birch and say'n...."....Olie....I'm a plant'n dis in dah U.P....to remind me of dah homeland....den, I am cutt'n it down and use'n the wood to make a wholly big batch of pasties!" "Guard this tree wid your life....and we will plant it out at deer camp...."

LOL! That's the same thing I was picturing, and I'm wondering if it could be an actual senario?

 

[Admin]

Tot he best of my knowledge, Baltic Birch is not grown in the UP, or anywhere in the US. Too bad as it makes some very nice plywood. The birch ply the big box home improvement and even many local lumber yards are selling is junk, much of it from China, although I have seen some "Baltic Birch" in some of the big box stores, just have been too afraid to spend the big bucks they are charging to see if it is true Baltic Birch.

-John

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

The only "birch" trees in the UP are White and Yellow. We have many other species in the birch family but they don't have birch in the name.

 

[snoluver1]

Thanks guys!
One other thing I was curious about. Is "baltic birch" actually a seperate species or is it just called that because of where it is grown?

 

[chevytaHOE5674]

As I know it "Baltic Birch" is actually a product that can be made from three different birch species grown in the Baltic region. Those three are Betula pubescens, Betula pendula and Betula krilovii.

 

[snobuilder]

Not to hijack this thread, but I have always noticed a beautiful bronze colored birchlike (bark) looking tree in N. WI and the UP.
Is that what is called Yellow Birch?

 

[anonomoose]

Probably....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betula_alleghaniensis

 

[lenny]

it's a good BTU for firewood, close to oak (red or white)

 

[renegade]

Also makes very nice looking cabinets and paneling!