;J4II NOTES ON BRITISH FOREST TREES. 



9. Birch— 7>'< ////'* aJIxi (L.). 



(f. run III. 



The timber is fairly lieavv, specilic gravity of air dried 

 ^vood = •()8, moderately hard, does not split well, of small 

 dural)ility ; good firewood, is also converted into charcoal 

 for the manufiicture of gunpowder. The timber is used by 

 joiners, wheelwrights, for coarse ciirvings ; in Britain exten- 

 sively used for bobbins, also for herring barrels. The branches, 

 and still more young shoots and trees, are used for withes, 

 brooms, etc. The bark is used for tanning and the manufac- 

 ture of small vessels and boxes. 



b. I)ishihi(li(in. 

 It is chiefly found in Northern and Eastern Europe ; also 

 in Northern Asia and in North America (a variety). In 

 Europe between 47'^ and 70 latitude. It is indigenous in 

 Great Britain and Ireland. It is a tree of the low lands, lower 

 hills, and even mountains. It grows up to 2,500 feet in 

 Scotland, in the Alps to over 5,000 feet. 



r. LoaiUtji. 



CliiiKite. — It requires but a low temperature, is frost hardy, 

 and not particular as regards heat. It is highly light de- 

 manding, almost as much as larch. It likes moist air. To 

 some extent thrown by storms. Sutlers somewhat from snow 

 and rime. It prefers south or west aspects. 



Suil. — Birch requires only a shallow soil, with a moderate 

 amount of moisture ; it is not exacting as regards mineral 

 comi)osition. Although loamy sand suits it best, it* accommo- 

 dates itself to all sorts of other soils. It is found on soils 

 ranging from poor, dry sandy soil to swampy ground, but 

 avoids stiff clay and calcareous soils. 



'/. S//i>/i'- fiinl llcrfliiinHiiil, 



The hteiu is generally wavy or undulating, and divided into 

 branches in the upper part. The trown assumes an elli})tic 



