Birch is a bit denser than cedar, spruce, or redwood, but it is a beautiful wood. (And it's still lighter than most mahogany, oak, maple, and walnut)

I think sawyers figure that wood dries at a rate of 1" per year. If you were to saw the tree into 1" planks, you'd have to let them air-dry for 6 months (1/2" drying from each side).

The Lapps make a traditional drinking cup called a kuksa from birch burls--It has been used hundreds of years by the people of Lapland, Finland. It is still very popular among outdoors people. My brother brought me back one from his summer trip to Finland--I'd love to make another for my wife--let me know if you have any "interesting" burls in that tree you might sell me. I could also send you a sketch or dimensions if you'd like to try carving one. Birch has such beautiful grain patterns and the kuksa really highlights them.

here are a couple more image links: http://www.lappia-tradehouse.fi/collection/kuva-5.jpg http://www.polarcraft.net/prod/2rl.jpg http://www.polarcraft.net/prod/1rl.jpg

> 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