MASSACHUSETTS FOREST TREES 



SWEET OR BLACK BIRCH (Betula lenta L.) 



THE Sweet Birch is of frequent occurrence through- 

 out the State, though it rarely grows in the vicinity 

 of the coast. Its favorite habitat is the rich, moist 

 soil of woods or the banks of streams. 



As commonly found, it is a medium-sized tree, 

 having a height of about fifty feet and a trunk dia- 

 meter of one to two feet, although 

 specimens may exceed these dimensions. 

 The trunk is upright and the branches 



are slender, 

 extending al- 

 most horizon- 

 tally, with the 

 lower ones 

 often some- 

 what pendu- 

 lous. In the 

 open the tree 

 develops a 

 symmetrical, 

 round head. 



The bark on the trunk is dark, almost 

 black, dull and broken into large, ir- 

 regular plates. On old trunks it very 

 much resembles that of the Sweet 

 Cherry, wherefore the term Cherry 

 Birch is often applied to the tree. The 

 young shoots are dark brown, lustrous 

 and very aromatic. It is this last 

 characteristic which justifies the name 

 Sweet Birch. 



The leaves are simple, alternate, egg-shaped or 



approaching oblong, three to four inches long, sharply 



toothed and dark green and dull on the upper surface. 



The flowers are in catkins. Of the winter ones there 



are three or four on a shoot. 



The wood is heavy, very strong, hard, durable and 

 easily wrought. It is used largely in the making of 

 furniture and is highly esteemed for fuel. 



SWEET OR BLACK BIRCH 



Leaves and fruit. 

 One-third natural size. 



SWEET BIRCH 

 Winter twig. One- 

 half natural size. 



