STUDIES OF TREES IN WINTER 



glows to the tip of the smallest branch with a 

 wealth of radiant, living color. 



The black birch is easily distinguished by 

 the dark color of its bark, which is smooth on 

 young trees and cracks into rough square 

 plates on old trees, but which never peels off 

 in strips. Its gray stems have a sweet, spicy 

 taste, which is also a means of identifying the 

 tree. 



The wood is heavy, strong, and hard, and its 

 surface after being polished is like satin. It 

 is much sought after for furniture and is ex- 

 cellent for fuel. An oil made from the wood 

 is used medicinally and as a flavoring extract, 

 and a sweet beer is made by fermenting the 

 sugary sap. 



The specific name, lenta (pliant), refers to 

 the flexible stems and branches of this tree. 

 The black birch is found in rich woods through- 

 out the Northeastern States. 

 Yellow Birch A beautiful straight tree, 50 to 



Betuia lutea go f ee t high. Distinguished 

 from the black birch by its yellowish or silver- 

 gray bark, which, unlike the brown bark of 

 the black birch rolls back and peels off in thin, 

 filmy strips from the trunk. The bud scales 

 overlap each other. Alternate leaf scars. Deli- 

 cate twigs with an aromatic taste, not as sweet 



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