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.—l,ight, 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. 
Propertics of wood.—Vairly heavy, moderately hard, does not 
split well, not durable. Specific gravity, air dried, 0.64. 
Uses.—The Vuropean White Birch is used here for orna- 
mental plantings, the same as the Paper Birch, though it is a 
