,^^^^ 



of PAPER BIRCH 



than those of the white birch, and they are somewhat sticky near the point of at- 

 tachment of the winter bud. The winter buds, themselves, are sticky and larger 

 than those of the other birches. 



The leaves are good features by which to distinguish most birches, since they 

 differ considerably in many points. Those of the paper birch are 2 to 3 in. long, 

 and oval in general outline. The teeth are coarse and irregular. The upper sur- 

 face is dull green and smooth, and the stems are short and downy. 



This tree is often considered as a "tree weed" but of late years the use of its 

 wood has been increasing rapidly. While the wood is soft and perishable it is 

 tough, compact, and easily worked, and valuable for the manufacture of spools, 

 bobbins, dowels, clothes-pins, shoe-pegs, and shanks, and all small woodenware 

 generally. 



It is from the bark of this tree that the Indians have for generations made their 

 famous birch-bark canoes ; hence one of its common names. 



BETULA OCCIDENTALIS, Hooker WESTERN BIRCH 



Common names: Western birch, British Columbia birch, black 



birch. 

 French name: Bouleau occidental. 



The range of the western birch in Canada is imperfectly defined, but it is prob- 

 ably confined to southwestern British Columbia, mainly to the Fraser river valley. 

 It is one of the largest birches on this continent and the only one of commercial 

 importance on the Pacific coast. It is sawn into lumber and used for interior 

 finish in British Columbia. 



7a 



