MASSACHUSETTS FOREST TREES 



BIRCHES 



How to know the Birches 



NOTE. The European White Birch (B. alba), an introduced species, is com- 

 monly planted for ornamental purposes. It is a beautiful tree, closely resembling 

 the native White Birch. There are numerous horticultural varieties, some with 

 finely-cut leaves and pendulous branches. 



The wood of Birches is valued chiefly for cabinet-making, for spools and other 

 small articles. 



Birches yield quantities of seed and are extremely valuable in reseeding waste 

 and barren lands, and rendering the conditions favorable to White Pine coming in. 

 The White Pine then replaces them in clean stands. 



When young, the saplings of all the species look more or less alike. 



