From some reading online yesterday, those are three common names for the same species, Betula nigra.

"River Birch, Black Birch, Red Birch, Water Birch"

"Black birch" is also used for Betula lenta, but a distribution map shows Virginia as the greatest area of density for this tree with none in Texas.

Anyway, I'm glad we have at least one birch represented in the state, and I'll look for it when I'm in the treed portion of Texas.

I am new to Texas (well living here - visit the in-laws a lot) and looked up the birch trees here recently. It had them as different trees on the list lol. The great thing about the trees here are there are so many hardwood type of trees. Back in MA we had white and black birch everywhere. White birch is also a very common tree in central Virginia where we lived. Thanks for the info.

Tight lines,

Ricky V.

Well you would not have to go out and build a kiln to cure it or color it. You can build a cheap oven or use your conventional oven for it. Check out these sites on how to. Hope these help you out.
http://www.bamboorodmaking.com/html/machines_-_ovens.html
http://www.bamboorodmaking.com/html/heat_treating_-_coloring.html

Tight lines,

Ricky V.

Ah cool...gracias

you have got some major skills there Rodbuilder!

Thanks HaRyan. Checked out your page. Cool stuff there.

Tight lines,

Ricky V.

Geez Ricky! You are the man!

Found this on that site you linked. Torch treatment only, no oven needed!
http://www.bamboorodmaking.com/html/blonde_flamed_cane.html

Wish I lived closer to you so you could show me a thing or two! I'm up in Frisco, Tx.

Thanks Quiksilver. You can also join the rod building forum. They have all kinds of tricks to making stuff. They have a bamboo section and those guys can answer any question you have on how to do it on the cheap and without having to build an oven. They make some beautiful rods and are a great bunch there. Let me know what you think if you visit it please. We do torch treatment on our cedar arrows for camo and rub down stains for a fade effect on them. There are all kinds of neat things you can do. You should really look at that site. Here is a pic of arrows I was staining up with an autumn orange and dark fade tip. In the pic I was letting them dry between coats and had them preped to put the tips on. I usually put 3 coats on so I can get a good fade going down the shaft. This had 1 coat on it so far. Would be cool to fade out a tip or butt end of a bamboo blank with matching color grip. They can color match stain at Home depot. Hope this all helps you out.

Sincerely,

Ricky V.

Read this thread on the forum.
Conventional oven used.
http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/index.php?showtopic=30070&hl=oven
Here is how to make your own planning forms for cheap money too on there.
http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/index.php?showtopic=27753&hl=home made planning form
This site has all the taper numbers and everything you need to know. They are great people and will answer all your questions.

You can search through the site on the top right and find just about anything. Cote's shop also sells bamboo blanks for cheap. Tell them you are a friend of Ricky and Tina if you call them.

Tight lines.

Ricky V.