276 TREES OF MINNESOTA. 



central Michigan and northern Nebraska and northwestern 

 Washington. In Minnesota generally common in all but the 

 southwestern part of the state. 



Propagation. See genus Betula. 



Properties of wood. Light, strong, hard, tough and very close 

 grained, but not durable. It is light brown tinged with red, 

 with thick nearly white sapwood. Specific gravity 0.5955; 

 weight of a cubic foot 37.11 pounds. 



Uses. The Paper Birch is a tree of good form and pretty 

 habit. It is especially beautiful in the spring when the young 

 leaves are unfolding, and in the winter is valuable for the con- 

 trast afforded by its white bark with other plants. It lends 

 variety to windbreaks and lawn plantings. Prefers a moist 

 soil, but does well on any retentive soil, and is perfectly hardy. 

 The wood is largely used in the making of spools and bobbins, 

 clothes pins, bread boards, rolling pins, wood screws, and shoe 

 pegs, in the manufacture of wood pulp and for fuel. It is one 

 of the very few woods that burn well when green. It decays 

 quickly, and should always be cured under cover. The Indians 

 of the north employ it for their sleds and paddles, the frames of 

 their snow shoes and handles of their hatchets. Birch is also 

 used for flooring, veneers, moldings, furniture. The knots and 

 gnarled roots are turned into door knobs and fancy articles. 

 The tough, resinous, durable bark of this tree is impervious 

 to water, and readily separated into layers. It is used by the 

 Indians for covering their canoes and houses, and for making 

 baskets, drinking cups, etc. 



Betula alba. European White Birch. 



Leaves small, somewhat triangular and tapering, very smooth 

 and glossy. Stem and older branches chalky white; new 

 growth with reddish or dark brown bark. It closely resembles 

 the Paper Birch. 



Distribution. Native of northern Europe and Asia, and is be- 

 coming naturalized in localities in the United States. 



Propagation. See genus Betula. 



Properties of wood. Fairly heavy, moderately hard, does not 

 split well, not durable. Specific gravity, air dried, 0.64. 



Uses. The European White Birch is used here for orna- 

 mental plantings, the same as the Paper Birch, though it is a 



