Birch is HEAVY, it may be up to twice as heavy as cedar. Most seriously, though, it is extremely challenging to work with. I would guess that finishing would take at least three times longer compared to cedar, cutting it is also a challenge.

Birch is beatiful, though, for instance used in furniture (our kitchen is made in birch). Be prepared that the wood from your trees can be a little on the knotty side.

Harald R.

> I am considering building my first strip kayak. I have a couple of large
> birch trees that blew down in my yard this winter. I was waiting for
> warmer weather to get out with my chain saw to cut them for firewood, but
> then thought about them as strips for the kayak. I have read in other
> postings on this bulletin board about people getting satisfactory results
> with birch plywood, but have seen no comments about solid birch. Anybody
> know if this is an acceptable wood? What do I need to do to the wood to
> make it useable? Can I just go cut strips out of my downed trees or do do
> I have to kiln dry larger cuts then cut finer into strips? This could be a
> lot more fun than cutting the birch into firewood. Thanks for your help.
> Roland