Iconic North Woods Tree
White (Paper) Birch
White Birch is an iconic North Woods tree, with its trademark thin white bark and comforting golden yellow fall color. Its wood is medium density and varies in color from soft white to red/brown. The red/brown color typically shows in pleasant streaks from the center of the tree. A limited amount of White Birch is selected for white only or red only color.
White Birch is one of MTM's primary species. Because of the volume we produce from Rajala Forestry, we are able to offer it in 3 grades and 4 colors. Grades include Select, Premium, and Rustic. Colors include white, red, natural (a pleasing red/white mix) and paint grade. White Birch provides an excellent painted surface due to its medium density and smooth finish.
White Birch is used in nearly every MTM product: Paneling, Flooring, Staircases, Trim, Shingles, Wall Shingles, Doors, Cabinets, and Counter Tops.
Lumber from White Birch is medium density and varies in color from white sapwood to red/brown mineral. A preciously small amount can be sorted for red color only. The knots are typically black on the edges but almost never tear out and stay fixed in place, making Premium (knotty) Birch a very popular species for high character applications.
Grades of Wood
Select
Elegant selection with consistent grain, minimal small knots, and overall smooth character. Excellent choice for a more refined look.
Premium
Varying amounts of excellent tight characteristics including medium size knots, streaks, bark pockets, and grain variation. This grade is excellent for a higher character look than Select, but not entirely Rustic either.
Rustic
This exciting grade provides the highest degree of character, with a wide range of knot sizes, streaks, a few holes and torn knots, and occasional heavy bark deposits. Rustic grade can appear a bit "loose" when unfinished, but with Prefinish applied the character holds together beautifully and really pops. This grade continues to grow in popularity, even in high end applications.
MTM is able to mix the grades in any combination to give you the exact look you are after. Some species (such as Elm) are limited in quantity and are only offered as a full mix of grades. A few species are unavailable in Select grade due to the natural characteristics of the tree (Tamarack).