Silver Birch
Betula pendula
Description
The Silver Birch is a graceful, medium-sized deciduous tree easily recognized by its slender trunk and peeling, silvery-white bark. It has a light, open canopy with delicate, drooping branches and small, triangular leaves that flutter in the breeze and turn yellow in autumn.
Common Uses
Daily Life Uses
- Excellent firewood that burns well even when damp
- Birch sap can be drunk fresh or fermented into a wine.
Medical Uses
- The sap and leaves are used in traditional herbal medicine as a diuretic and for skin ailments.
- Can be used to treat hair loss and dandruff.
Industrial Uses
- Plywood manufacturing
- Crafting small items like clothespins and toys
- Traditional construction of canoes from bark
General Uses
- Pioneer species, often the first tree to colonize open land.
- Its peeling bark is a natural fire-starter.
Fun Facts
The waterproof bark has been used for thousands of years as a writing material, for roofing, and even for crafting containers and shoes. It contains flammable oils, making it an excellent fire starter.
Location
Lat: 60.1699
Lon: 24.9384