STUDIES OF TREES IN WINTER 



and texture of the bark on the trunk and 

 branches of the different species are the most 

 obvious and certain means of identification in 

 winter. 



There are in all six native species in New 

 England, and one from Europe which is planted 

 in our parks and gardens. 



A large, graceful tree, 60 to 75 



White f ee * high, with wonderfully white 



Birch bark splitting into thin, lough 



Betuia p a pynfera layey ^ Branches thicker, buds 



larger, catkins larger than those of other birches, 

 and the upper part of the twigs is hairy. The 

 buds are sticky and greener inside than those 

 of other birches, less silvery and soft. The 

 leaf scars are alternate. 



In winter, as at every other season of the 

 year, few trees surpass the canoe birch for 

 beauty and delicacy. No other tree has a bark 

 so shiningly white, and even the snow is unable 

 to dim its purity. We usually think of this 

 tree as being fragile and delicate, especially 

 when we recall it as it grows along the edge 

 of woodlands where the shade of other trees 

 has forced it to grow slender and tall in reach- 

 ing for the light. The canoe birch is really a 

 large tree, however, and often grows to an 



enormous size among the northern hills where 



60 



