38 A MAM'Al. 01 KORKSTRY 



YELLOW BIRCH (Bctula Inlea). 



The yellow birch extends westward from Newfoundland and 

 Nova Scotia into Minnesota and south in the Appalachians to 

 northern Georgia. It occurs throughout New England from 

 northern Maine to Long Island Sound. 



It is less particular in regard to the character of the soil or 

 moisture than the sugar maple, but is less tolerant of shade than 

 that tree. In second growth stands it is a fairly rapid grower, 

 but under virgin conditions the growth is similar to that of maple 

 and it lives to equally advanced age. Like all birches this 

 species is a very prolific seeder, and as the seed is very light it 

 is blown long distances. Birch seed germinates particularly 

 well on burned-over land where the mineral soil is exposed. 

 Openings in spruce forests caused by windfall or lire or camp 

 clearings frequently grow up to a dense stand of seedlings 

 either of pure yellow birch or of this mixed with other species. 

 This tree has no serious natural enemies and is little dam- 

 aged by fire. 



PAPER BIRCH (Betula papyri/era). 



The range of the paper birch extends across the continent to 

 the Rocky Mountains but not very far south. It occurs through- 

 out New England but only occasional specimens are found in 

 Connecticut and Rhode Island. 



This tree thrives best on a fresh, well-drained soil, being fond 

 of moisture but not of swampy land. Although frequently found 

 on dry slopes it does not prosper there as well as the yellow birch. 

 Paper birch is one of the most intolerant trees and is often killed 

 out, for lack of light, by slow-growing but more tolerant spe- 

 cies, which started under its protection but finally caught up 

 with it in old age. Although rapid growing in youth, it is com- 

 paratively short lived, trees over one hundred years old being 

 uncommon. Specimens over eighteen inches in diameter and 

 seventy-five feet high are scarce. 



It produces an abundant supply of seed, but on account of 



