THE EUROPEAN WHITE BIRCH 



SUGGESTIONS of the impression which this tree has made upon the masters of 

 English literature must have often come to every one familiar with their writings. 

 The feminine grace and beauty of the trunk, branches and leaves must always 

 appeal to an intelligent observer, and it is not strange that it is the most popular of all 

 ornamental trees, even in America, where we have so many beautiful native kinds. The 

 white bark of the slender trunk, the graceful branches with their long tips "floating at 

 the discretion of the winds," the long-petioled, shining leaves with decorative blades, 

 the interesting flowers and the slender fruit-cones all these combine to justify the apos- 

 trophe of Coleridge : 



" Most beautiful 



Of forest trees The Lady of the woods." 



Like so many plants that have long been in cultivation for landscape purposes, 

 this species has many varieties, perhaps more than any other tree. These varieties exhibit 

 nearly all the variations possible, including divergence in habit of growth, size, shape and 

 color of leaves, length of petiole, and moisture requirements of roots. Mr. Alfred' Rehder 

 groups the numerous varieties under two sub-species : the first, which is called the pendula 

 group, prefers dry soil and has pendent branches and cones, the bark of the branches 

 being glandular, and smooth leaves which are of the general outline of the normal type 

 except in cut-leaved forms; the second, which is called the pubescens group, prefers wet 

 soil and has more upright branches, the bark of which is commonly hairy instead of 

 glandular, leaves which are hairy on the lower surface and cones which may be erect to 

 pendent. Among the more notable varieties of the first group are the Cut-leaved Weeping 

 Birch and the Purple-leaved Birch, while among the more notable varieties of the second 

 group are the Downy-leaved Birch and the Nettle-leaved Birch. 



This White Birch is beautiful at any season but it is most exquisite during the brief 

 week in May when the blossoms appear, a condition illustrated in the upper left-hand 

 picture of the plate. The young leaves with their decorative, serrate margins are of a 

 delicate green color that combines charmingly with the more yellow tones of the flowers : 

 from the centre of each group of clustered leaves appears an erect, stalked catkin of the 

 seed-bearing flowers, while from the ends of the twigs droop the pair of slender graceful 

 pollen-bearing catkins. When next the spring reaches that delightful climax of catkin- 

 bloom, be sure you note the unique beauty of these English Birch-Trees. 



(no) 



