Birch can be sliced on a vertical slicer or sliced on a stay log (half round).  Logs that have the potential for more figural qualities are sliced on a lathe (full round or peeled).  The method of production relates to what the producer wants to yield.

Like Maple, Birch logs are comprised primarily of sapwood (white wood).  The heartwood in the center of the log will be reddish or brownish in color.  Interestingly enough, it’s completely the opposite of what you would see in most species where the sapwood is minimal and the heartwood is what you’re looking to yield more of.

Typically, depending on log and flitch size, slicing Birch on a vertical slicer will begin to yield the heartwood sooner in production than if you sliced the flitch on a half round.  Why?  Because when you slice through the flitch you come to the heartwood faster than if you slice around the flitch.  The visual in terms of the cathedral appearance is essentially the same.

Natural Birch or Red Birch is typically what we think of as coming from the heartwood.