Yellow birch ranges from Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, to eastern Tennessee and northeastern Georgia and is a moderately tall tree that approaches 80 feet in height; the trunk having a diameter of 2-4 feet. Although the largest of the North American birches, yellow birch is fairly non-durable with straight grain and a fine, even texture. Yellow birch has white sapwood and light reddish-brown heartwood. Color varies throughout pieces with the light sapwood being permeable and the reddish heartwood, with its darker, cherry looking color, denser and less permeable thus being resistant to treatment with preservatives.

Yellow birch lumber and veneer are used in making furniture, paneling, plywood, cabinets, boxes, wooden ware, handles, and interior doors. It makes a nice decorative wood with a fine polished finish.

In general, birches split during nailing and should be prebored.