PAPER BIRCH 309 



and others who make the well-known bark canoes of it. 

 This gives it the name of Canoe Birch. The thin, creamy- 

 white layers of bark, which separate when the tree is com- 

 paratively young, may be used as a substitute for paper, 

 hence its botanical designation, papyrifera. Like the Yel- 

 low Birch, the tree is a prolific seeder, and its seeds are 

 blown to a great distance, and natural reforestation readily 

 occurs. 



Its natural range is in the northern portions of our coun- 

 try, and where seen in the Middle States it seldom attains 

 a size suitable for a sawlog, generally reaching the pole 

 stage only and even falling below that. Its best develop- 

 ment is in the states bordering on the Canadian line. 



The wood is light, very close-grained, strong, tough, and 

 hard when seasoned. The heartwood is light brown, tinged 

 with red, and the sapwood is thick and nearly white. It is 

 largely converted into spools, and for that use is shipped 

 to Europe. It is also made into " excelsior," and is like- 

 wise used for pulp, turnery, veneers, and fuel. Like the 

 other Birches, its natural reproduction can be depended 

 upon. In fact, it will, if allowed to, crowd out all other 

 species on a cut-over or burned tract. Its propagation for 

 lumber should not be undertaken. It is useful, however, in 

 covering the surface of burned districts and preventing 

 erosion of the soil. 



