KINDS OF TREES, 



THE BIRCH, or J3irh 9 Scotland. 



(Be tula alba.) 



The Birch is a well known, hardy, low growing 

 tree, of a delicate and fragrant foliage. When 

 growing fmgle, and in a fheltered fituation, it as- 

 fumes a pleafmg form. The variety with pendulous 

 branches, called the Weeping-birch, is certainly a 

 very^elegant tree, and defirable wherever orna- 

 ment is an object. Whoever has ftrolled on the 

 banks of the Dee, in Aberdeenfliire, after a gentle 

 fummer fhower, mufl have been delighted with 

 the appearance, and regaled by the fragrance of 

 the wfteping-birches which decorate its banks. 



If planted in good foil, in the grove manner, 

 and if properly trained, the Birch becomes a tim- 

 ber tree of confiderable fize. It is an excellent 

 coppice plant ; and is very generally found in that 

 character in the Highlands of Scotland, and in 

 many other parts of the country. 



Birch may be faid to be the univerfal wood of 

 the Scots Highlanders. They make every thing of 

 it ; they build their houfes of it ; make their beds, 

 chairs, tables, diflies, and fpoons of it ; conftruct 

 their mills of it ; make their carts, ploughs, har- 

 rows, gates, and fences of it ; and even manu- 

 facture ropes of it ! Birch is alfo ufed in many 



other 



