424 NEW ENGLAND TREES IN WINTER. 



EUROPEAN WHITE BIRCH 



European Paper Birch. 



Betula alba L. 



The European Birch of which our American Paper Birch is considered 

 a variety is closely related to this latter species. There are many 

 horticultural varieties. Aside from the weeping variety the forms most 

 frequently seen in cultivation are erect with fine drooping spray. The 

 bark is often slashed at the base of the trunk with deep "gusset"-like 

 furrows exposing the dark inner bark in sharp contrast to the whiteness 

 of the outer layers. The outer bark is separable into thin papery layers 

 but does not seem so inclined to peel spontaneously as our native Paper 

 Birch. 



