994 The Trees of Great Britain and Ireland 



It was introduced into cultivation in the Arnold Arboretum in 1874; but is 

 rarely met with in Europe, except in Botanic Gardens. Four or five specimens, in 

 the lower nursery at Kew, which were received from Sargent in 1903, are now 8 to 

 10 feet in height, and are vigorous in growth, promising to become trees of con- 

 siderable size. Another specimen in the collection at Kew, raised from seed 

 obtained from the Pinehurst Nursery in 1897, is about 10 feet in height and is more 

 shrubby in appearance. (A. H.) 



Timber of the American Birches 1 



All American authors agree in saying that the tree which supplies the best 

 wood of commerce is that of the Betula lenta, known in New England as black 

 birch, in Canada as cherry birch. Macoun says that the yellow birch is scarcely 

 distinguished in commerce, and judging from the specimens in Hough's American 

 Woods, it would be difficult for any one but an expert to do so. Michaux and 

 Macoun both say that the timber of the white birch is less valuable than either of 

 the above ; and Sargent says that the wood of the red birch has lately been found 

 suitable for furniture of the best quality. Mr. Weale tells me that large quantities 

 of red and yellow birch are imported into Liverpool, chiefly in the form of 

 hewn logs of 15 to 18 inches square, which are valued in proportion to their 

 size at from is. 6d. to 2s. a foot and upwards for logs showing figure. The wood 

 often shows a beautiful undulation called " roll figure," which, when cut into veneers, 

 was a few years ago very fashionable for bedroom furniture, and is sometimes rather 

 difficult to distinguish from satin wood, though its colour is rather pinkish than 

 yellowish and the undulations larger and more open. Mr. C. L. Willey, of Chicago, 

 tells me that this fine "curly birch" is principally found at altitudes of 3000 to 4000 

 feet in North Carolina, and is very light in colour, having a yellowish tint ; whilst other 

 trees produce wood of a reddish colour, resembling that of cherry (Prunus serotina). 



A large quantity of American birch is also imported in the form of planks 

 2 inches to 5 inches thick, and averaging 8 inches wide, which are sold in Liverpool 

 at about is. per cubic foot, and consumed for chair-making at High Wycombe and 

 elsewhere. At this low price it is the most formidable competitor to the native 

 beech, and in some of the factories which I visited, seemed to be the more popular 

 wood of the two. 



The bark of the Paper Birch, and to a less extent that of other species, is as 

 important to the inhabitants of Canada as that of the common birch is to those of 

 northern Europe. Canoes and lodges are covered with large sheets of bark ; it 

 is placed on shingled roofs under the shingles to prevent the water from coming 

 through ; and very ornamental boxes, baskets, and other articles are made from it 

 by the Indians. It also serves as a writing material, and I have a clearly written 

 letter from Prof. Elrod, sent me by him, when during an expedition in Montana 

 he ran out of paper. (H. J. E.) 



1 Emerson distinguishes the five common birches of New England as follows : 



1 . B. lenta, black birch ; bark dark coloured. 



2. B. lutea, yellow birch ; bark yellowish, with a silvery lustre. 



3. B, nigra, red birch ; bark reddish or chocolate coloured, very much broken and ragged. 



4. B. papyri/era, canoe birch ; bark white with a pearly lustre. 



5. B. populifolia, grey or white birch ; bark chalky-white, dotted with black. 



