STUDIES OF TREES IN WINTER 



the dark complexioned black birch, with golden 

 ringlets. How lustily it takes hold of the 

 swampy soil and braces itself. In the twilight 

 I went through the swamps, and the yellow 

 birches sent forth a yellow gleam which each 

 time made my heart beat faster. Sometimes I 

 was in doubt about a birch whose vest was but- 

 toned, smooth and dark, till I came nearer and 

 saw the yellow gleaming through, or where a 

 button was off." 



The yellow birch is one of the most valu- 

 able timber trees of the North. The wood 

 is heavy, hard, and strong, and is used for 

 making furniture, the hubs of wheels, and 

 boxes. Few hard woods of a light color make 

 as attractive flooring as polished yellow 

 birch. 



The specific name, lutea (yellow), refers to 

 the color of the wood and bark of the trunk. 

 The yellow birch is found throughout the 

 Northeastern States. 



Red or R' r "^ niedium-sized tree found on 

 Birch f^ie edges of streams. Long, grace- 



eiu a nigra j^^j^ sweeping Upper Hmbs, with 

 small, pendulous lower branches. The bark 

 is reddish, very shaggy and loose, flaking off 

 and rolling back in thin strips. Alternate leaf- 

 scars. Twigs reddish brown and pliant. 



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