baltic birch strong enough for edge trim?

[BS_Mace]

Looking for recommendations on edge trim for bookshelves. Right now the shelves have solid oak trim, ¾" x 1½". Works fine, but I need to replace it and was hoping there's a cheaper or easier option that still prevents sag. These shelves will be painted, so appearance isn't the concern... strength is. Would Baltic birch actually hold up if I routed the edge? Or is that just asking for tear-out and headaches? Poplar and maple are cheaper and paint well, but I doubt they're as stiff as oak. I don't really want to swap one problem for another. So, bottom line: if you've done this before, is oak still the smartest choice in 2025, or are there other woods/panels that make sense without compromising strength?

 

[riesenvieh_86]

I had the same problem last year when I fixed up shelves in my home office. I used 3/4" maple instead of oak and it worked really well. It's strong and easy to paint. I cut the edges slowly and didn't have any trouble. Baltic birch is strong too, but harder to cut clean unless you use sharp tools and go slow. If you're painting the shelves, maple is a good choice that saves money. Just don't use soft woods since they bend too easily under books.