44 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The Birches deserve more attention tiian they have received from 

 tree planters. The Black birch, Betnla lenta, in open grf)und 

 forms a stately round-headed tree, and its numerous slender, finely 

 divided branches, sometimes drooping, lend gracefulness to its 

 aspect. Upon the borders of a pond, or by a brook, it is a charm- 

 ing tree, its sprays often touching the water. 



The Yellow birch, Betula excelsa^ rarely has the opportunity of 

 developing in the open ground ; but left to itself it is a tree which 

 limbs low, sending out a large number of long lithe branches 

 forming a semi-orbicuhir head of imposing dimensions. I knew of 

 such a tree that came up from a crevice in a ledge of rock, and in 

 time threw out huge surface roots, which grappled the rock with a 

 Titan's hold ; until, having fed from soil which they finally reached, 

 it grew to a spread of fifty feet, forming in summer a huge mound 

 of foliage, and in the ice-storms of winter a crown of sparkling, 

 dazzling beauty, which even in my boyhood I looked upon with 

 admiring wonder. The tree was cut ilown for a cord of wood ! 



The Paper White or Canoe birch, Betula papyracea, reaches 

 its fullest development farther north than Massachusetts. Yet 

 in the cooler hill regions of the State it is a line tree ; and if 

 planted will grow well even much farther south. In the open 

 ground it develops a stately head, broadly oval in outline, with 

 rich, dark green foliage. But its characteristic beauty is seen in 

 the forest or mingled with a thicket of other trees. There it shoots 

 up with a straight, slender, milky white stem, without a limb, until 

 it overtops its companions of other kinds with its thick-leaved 

 head — one of the neatest, most graceful trees of the New England 

 woods. It has been fitly termed '' The Lady of the Forest." For 

 tree grouping it is one of the best. 



The Red birch, Betula nigra, is rare in Massachusetts, yet num- 

 bers of them are found upon the river banks for several miles 

 above and below Lowell. This tree when fully developed is con- 

 spicuous for its large, dense head ; formed by long, slender, some- 

 what drooping branches ; a fringe-like spray often crowding the 

 larger limbs near the trunk. It is also noticeable for its copper- 

 colored bark ; tlie outer layers upon the limbs, and upon trunks not 

 too old, hanging loosely in long, ragged strips. Alone or among 

 others it is a striking tree, and one of the best for growth by 

 quick-flowing streams, serving at once to hold their banks and to 

 add beauty to the scene. The wood is also valuable. 



