THE NATIVE TREES OE RHODE ISLAND. 
21 
The Birches. 
The birches form a valuable group of trees in northern temper- 
ate regions; and their relative importance increases the farther 
north we go, until they finally disappear as the last deciduous 
trees in Arctic lands. Four species are listed for Rhode Island, 
three being common, one “local” only. We owe much to the 
economic uses and scenic attractiveness of these trees. All of the 
birches make an agreeable, free -burning fuel when it is properly 
seasoned. For various mechanical uses, some of the species are 
in constant demand. 
THE BLACK BIRCH. 
The black birch, also called “ sweet ” birch, is often seen fring- 
ing country road-sides, the wooded shores of ponds, water-courses 
along the valleys, and springy places at the base of hills. It is a 
slender-branched, graceful tree, often, by the water-side, taking 
the drooping habit in its lower branches. Although not a good 
street tree for town purposes, it is admirably adapted for certain 
effects in landscape work. The sweet, aromatic flavor of the inner 
bark of the young branches of this birch probably lingers in the 
memory of most persons who were so fortunate as to have spent 
their youth in country places of this region. There was no poison 
in this kind of sweet-meat. It was as wholesome as the pure air 
and water of the hills. 
The dressed lumber of this birch is in demand for many pur- 
poses. Floors made of narrow strips of it are simply elegant, 
especially if the shadings of the different cuts be properly ar- 
ranged. “Mahogany” birch is from trees whose wood, from some 
cause, perhaps the soil in which they grew, has taken a dark hue. 
This wood improves with age. Veneering made from cuts where 
two large limbs join is among the handsomest of cabinet material. 
This tree seeds abundantly, and grows rapidly. Altogether, it 
is a very desirable forest tree. 
