Trees of the Northern United States lOo 



5. Leaves various, commonly triangular or rhombic-ovate, 

 on slender petioles ; twigs often pendulous or weep- 

 ing; much cultivated, from Europe and Asia. 'B. alba. 



1. Betula lenta ].. Sweet Birch. A large tree with 

 dark brown, close, smooth bark, becoming furrowed and not 

 separating in layers. Wood hard, fine-grained, of a reddish 

 tint; used for cabinet-work. N. Eng. to Ont.. Fla.. and Tenn. 



2. Betula li^tea Mx. f. Yellow^ Birch. A large tret 

 with yellowish or gray bark, separating in thin layers or 

 close. Autumn leaves pure yellow. Wood hard and close- 

 grained ; used in making furniture, wheel-hul)S, pill-boxes, 

 etc. Newf. to Man., N. Car., Ga., and Tenn. 



y"^ Betula nigra L. River Birch. A slender tree with 

 reddish or greenish-brown bark peeling off in very thin 

 layers. Branches long and slender, arched and heavily 

 drooping. Wood rather light, hard, strong and close grained; 

 used for furniture and turnery. "Birch brooms" are made 

 from the twigs. Along streams. Mass. and N. H. to Towa, 

 Minn., Kan., Fla.. and Tex. 



4. Betula papyrifera ]\larsh. Paper Birch. A large 

 tree with chalky white bark separating in thin layers. The 

 bark is very water-proof and is used for inaking canoes by 

 Indians and trappers. Wood rather heavy, hard, and very 

 close-grained ; decays rapidly wdien exposed ; used for mak- 

 ing spools, pegs, shoe-lasts, wooden shoes, wagon hubs, ox- 

 yokes, wood-carving, wood pulp, and in wood turnery. New^f, 

 to Alaska. Penn.. Mich.. Neb., and Wash. 



5. Betula alba L. European White Birch. .\ tree with 

 chalky-white bark, much cultivated for ornament, especially 

 the '\veeping" and cut-leaved varieties. 



(>. Betula populifolia Marsh. American White Birch. 

 .A. slender, short-lived tree with smooth white l)ark. tardily 

 separating in thin sheets. Autumn leaves pure yellow. Wood 

 soft, white, not durable; used for making spools, shoe-pegs, 

 etc. Leaves tremulous like those of the aspens. In moist 

 or dry soil. N. S. to Ont.. Penn., and Del. 



60. AInus (Tourn.) Hill. Alder. 



Trees or shrubs with 3-angled pith, alternate straight- 

 •veined. simple leaves and stalked winter buds. 



