At first glance, the two native tree species, poplar and birch, have some things in common. The leaves in particular are incredibly similar. But when it comes to further processing their wood, it becomes clear that they have very different genes.
How do poplar and birch differ?
The poplar is awillow tree, the birch is abirch tree The crown structure and trunk can differ significantly, while the leaves are approximately the same. Poplar wood is light and soft, birch wood is hard and flexible. Both types of wood are not weather-resistant and are susceptible to fungus.
How do the birch and poplar trees differ?
Birch (Betula)
- Family: Birch family (Betulaceae)
- Age: up to 150 years
- Growth habit: up to 30 m; upright; loose crown; partly overhanging
- Leaves: oval to triangular; depending on the variety, 0.5 to 10 cm long; sawn
- Fruits: yellow-brown, winged nuts
- Flowers: approx. 10 cm long yellow catkins; inconspicuous female flowers
- Bark: white; slightly black patterned
Poplar (Populus)
- Family: Willow family (Salicaceae)
- Age: up to 200 years
- Growth habit: 30 to 45 m, depending on the variety, narrow to spreading crown
- Leaves: ovate, triangular or heart-shaped; partly lobed or serrated
- Fruits: capsule fruits
- Flowers: stalked hanging catkins; 2-10 cm long; yellow-green to reddish
- Bark: white, grayish or black; young smooth, later rough and furrowed
How does the wood differ from poplar and birch?
Birch
- Color: between white and reddish; no difference between heartwood and sapwood; darkens
- Grain: Pores faintly visible, fine wood rays and reddish pith rays; irregular grain pattern
- Properties: hard and tough, yet flexible; difficult to split; easy to edit
- Resistance: not weatherproof, susceptible to fungal damage
- Care needs: waxing and oiling
Poplar
- Colour: white-gray to brownish; Core color varies depending on the variety
- Grain: wide annual rings, bordered by a darker band; fine drawing
- Characteristics: coarse-grained and very soft; stains well but is difficult to polish; very low weight
- Resistance: wear-resistant, not weatherproof, susceptible to fungal damage
- Care requirements: Coating is essential for outdoor use
Is the wood of birch and poplar used differently?
The different properties of wood result indifferent uses The birch has a thin trunk and is not very productive of wood. In this country it is mainly used as veneer and plywood and is also used in furniture construction and parquet production. Poplar wood is used as (non-load-bearing) structural wood, is used in packaging and traditionally for making wooden shoes. It is also good for crafts.
Which is more expensive, birch wood or poplar wood?
Birch woodis generally one of thecheaper types of wood. Its price is significantly lower than that of poplar wood.
Tip
Birch is more suitable as firewood than poplar
When it comes to which tree makes better firewood, the answer is clear: the birch. In contrast to the soft wood of the poplar, its hard wood offers a very high calorific value.
