Karelian Birch / Masur Birch

Betula pendula (masur figure; sometimes var. carelica)

Creamy birch with brown marbling, small eyes and densely contorted grain.

Botanical family: Betulaceae
Average dry density: 640 kg/m³ (≈12% MC)
Janka hardness: 1,210 lbf
Native distribution: Northern Europe and western Russia
Grain & texture: Irregular, clustered and highly figured

Figures refer to ordinary Betula pendula timber; distinctive masur pieces may depart from these values.

Original photograph © Mokurei Studio · physical timber held in the studio collection. Identification supplied by the studio; reference properties are not individual sample measurements.

Material character

A distinctive inherited / growth-related pattern rather than a separate commercial tree species.

Notable applications

Art objects, fine cabinet veneer, small handles and turned details.

Of particular interest

The name references Karelia on the Finnish–Russian border; the figure is sometimes called masur.

Workshop note

Botanical naming of figured masur birch varies by authority and population; do not treat the variety as an independent species.

WOOD DATABASE / MATERIAL PROPERTIES ↗KEW SCIENCE / TAXONOMY INDEX ↗

Wood identification is provided by the Mokurei Studio collection, not independently laboratory-verified. Technical figures are reference averages, not measurements of the photographed piece; they vary with provenance and moisture.