Tallguy, take Map's advice and just buy a blank. It'll save you a ton of grief.
Map, birch is as poor a choice as Manitoba maple and poplar. Their vascular systems (veins) are large and these trees generate a tremendous amount of hydrolic PSI. Thus once cut, they quickly lose any moisture (especially in this arid climate) and the wood splits.
Yew and oak is the best because they grow so slowly. I have a 4" diameter piece of bur oak that has at least 43 years of growth! They maintain their structure much better.
However, if you are commited to starting from scratch here's what I'd do. Pick a willow. It's a wood that will surprise you.
Also, I have given lots of wood and the odd burle to a wood turner who primarily makes bowls out of it and they are amazing. What he does is leave the bark ON, and seals all cuts or even nicks with bee's wax to seal the moisture IN. He then tarps it to keep it dry, leaves it outside and 3-4 years it's ready to work with. This process allows any moisture to osmoiss at a slow and steady rate while allowing the fibres to adapt gradually to the change, thus avoiding any splitting. It works most of the time. Good luck!
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