Is River Birch any good for turning?

[Tom Lewis]

I have access to some River Birch wood. Is it any good for turning?

[terry richards]

I have turned it with good results. Because the bark is so tight, it spalts quickly once off the tree, if the bark is left on. You have to watch it closely so the spalting doesn't go too far, too fast.

Takes a great lacquer finish, once you get it good and dry.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Turned a lot of white birch and it can be some beautiful wood! Terry is right as far as spalting - it happens fast but can can have a lot of different colors in it!

Looking forward to seeing what you turn out of it!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Very good turning wood.

[Ken Glass]

Tom,
Most varieties of Birch are great to turn and it takes finishes well too. I really like it, and there is an abundance of it downed every year after an icy winter here in the Midwest.