Han-DBOOK of TeEES of the ]Si"ORTIIEEN StATES AND CANADA^ 125 



The Sweet Birch attains the height of 70 or 

 SO ft., witli a tninl< diameter of from 2-5 ft., 

 and wlien growing away from other trees de- 

 velops a symmetrical ovoid or pyramidal top 

 at first with many strong small branches, but 

 finally rounded or broad by the lengthening 

 of the lateral branches. The bark of trunk is 

 at first smooth and peels off transversely in 

 thin strips, but finally becomes fissured with 

 large and small irregular scales suggesting 

 the bark of the Black Cherry, for which reason 

 the tree is sometimes called the Cherry Birch. 

 The darkness of its color gives it the name of 

 Black Birch and from the sweet aromatic flavor 

 of its leaves and bark it is called the Sweet 

 Birch. It flourishes on rich well-drained up- 

 lands, and in early spring while the branches 

 are bare of leaves and it is trimmed with its 

 golden tassels of catkins, unloading their 

 pollen on the lightest touch, it is a particu- 

 larly handsome object. 



The wood is heavy, hard and strong, a cubic 



foot when absolutely dry weighing 47.47 lbs., 



and is valued in the manufacture of furniture, 



agricultural implements and general wooden 



ware, and for fuel.i 



Leaves ovate to ovate-oblong, 214 to 5 in. long, 

 acute to acuminate at apex, rounded or cordate at 

 base, sharply unevenly serrate, silky pubescent at 

 first but finally glabrous shininj green above, 

 paler and pubescent along the prominent veins be- 

 neath ; petioles stout, hairy and grooved above. 

 Flowers stamtnate generally in clusters, 1 in. or 

 less in length and Va in. thick and scales with 

 free apiculate tips in winter, finally 3-4 in. long 

 in spring; pistillate aments % in. long with 

 greenish round-pointed scales and pink styles. 

 Fruit: strobules erect ovoid-oblong, sessile, 1-1 1/2 

 in. long, glabrous with lobes of scales about equal, 

 lateral lobes divergent; nntlet obovoid, broader 

 than its wings. 



1. A. W., II, 44. 



