Generally birch bark canoes are constructed mainly with “summer” bark – a pale or light tan colour. Summer bark is easier to peel from the tree and easier to obtain in large quantities.
Sometimes you will see birch bark canoes decorated with elaborate designs or animal motifs on canoe ends or side panels. While some canoe makers will paint the decorative design onto the bark, the traditional method was to use “winter bark” – a darker, deeper colour bark.
Winter bark is more difficult to peel from the tree and is available only during certain periods of the year (generally when it is cold!). Winterbark is highly prized because it allows the canoe builder to etch the design into the bark.
Winterbark hulls or side panels (with or without designs) are available as an option on request.