Handbook of Tijef.s of the Xortiikkx States and Canada. 125 



Tho Sweet Bircli attains tlie height of 70 or 

 SO ft., witli a trunk diaiiiefcr (if from 2-5 ft., 

 and when <,'r<)\viTii,' away fruni other trees de- 

 velof)s a syninietrical ovoid or ])yraniidal top 

 at first witii many stronjj; small branehes, but 

 finally rounded or broad by the lengthening 

 of the lateral l)ranches. The bark of truid< is 

 at first smooth and peels off transversely in 

 thin strips, but finally becomes fissured with 

 large and small irregular scales suggesting 

 the bark of the Black Cherry, for which re.ison 

 the tree is sometimes called the Cherry I^ireh. 

 The darkness of its color gives it the name of 

 Black Birch and from the sweet aromatic flavor 

 of its leaves and bark it is called the Sweet 

 Birch. It flourishes on rich well-drained up- 

 lands, and in early spring while tiie branches 

 are bare of leaves and it is trimmed with its 

 golden tassels of catkins, unloading their 

 pollen on the lightest touch, it is a particu- 

 larly handsome object. 



'I"he wood is heavy, hard and strong, a cubic 



foot wlien absolutely dry weighing 47.47 lbs., 



and is valued in the manufacture of furniture, 



agricultural implements and general wooden 



ware, and for fuel.^ 



Leaves ovate to ovatc-nbloi)?^. 2ij to '> in. Ions;. 

 acute to acumiaate at apex, iduiidcd or cordate at 

 base, sharply unevenly senate, silky pubescent at 

 first but finally slabroiis sliiniir^ green above, 

 paler and ijubcsient along the prominent veins be- 

 neath ; petioles stout, hairy and grooved above. 

 Flowers stamiuate generally in clusters. 1 in. or 

 less in length and Vs in. thicli and scales with 

 free apiculate tips in winter, finally 3-4 in. long 

 in spring ; pistillate aments % in. long with 

 greenish round-pointed scales and pink styles. 

 Fruit: strobules erect ovoid-oblong, sessile, 1-1 i/i 

 in. long, glabrous with lobes of scales about equal, 

 lateral lobes divergent ; nutlet obovoid, broader 

 than its wings. 



W. 



44. 



