Botanical Information and Taxonomy
– Birch belongs to the Betulaceae family.
– There are various species of birch, including the Japanese birch and white-barked birches.
– Birch trees have distinctive white or silver bark.
– Birch trees are native to the Northern Hemisphere.
– Birch trees are deciduous and produce catkins.
– Birch species are organized into five subgenera.
– Some examples of birch species include Betula tianshanica and Betula utilis.
– Birch species native to North America include Betula alleghaniensis.
– The generic name ‘Betula’ is derived from Latin.
Uses of Birch
– Birch wood is fine-grained, pale in color, and has a satin-like sheen.
– Birch plywood is strong and dimensionally stable.
– It is used for making longboards and model aircraft.
– Extracts of birch are used for flavoring, leather oil, and cosmetics.
– Commercial oil of wintergreen was made from the sweet birch in the past.
– Birch-tar or Russian oil extracted from birch bark is thermoplastic and waterproof, used as glue and for medicinal purposes.
– Fragrant twigs of wintergreen group birches are used in saunas.
– Birch branches are used as decoration for churches and homes during the feast of Pentecost.
– Ground birch bark is used for seasoning sails and ropes of traditional Norwegian boats.
– Birch twigs, known as birch, were used for corporal punishment.
– Birch inner bark is edible and can be eaten raw or dried and ground into flour.
– Birch sap can be drunk or used to make syrup and birch beer.
– Birch bark extract has wound healing properties and stimulates the growth of keratinocytes.
– Birch bark has been used in traditional medicine for treating superficial wounds.
– Splints made with birch bark were used as casts for broken limbs.
– Birch wood is used as tonewood for guitar bodies and mallets for keyboard percussion.
– Birch bark was used as writing paper in ancient India and Russia.
– Birch paper has low opacity and is suitable for making glassine.
– Birch is associated with the month of March in Czech culture.
– Birch has cultural significance in various countries and is used in folk songs and ballads.
– Birch leaves can be used as a natural dye.
Environmental Importance of Birch
– Birch trees play a crucial role in forest ecosystems.
– Birch trees provide habitat and food for various wildlife species.
– Birch trees contribute to soil stabilization and erosion control.
– Birch trees help improve air quality by absorbing pollutants.
– Birch forests are important for carbon sequestration and climate regulation.
Cultural Significance of Birch
– Birch bark has been used as a writing material in some cultures.
– Birch trees are considered sacred in some indigenous traditions.
– Birch trees have been used in traditional celebrations and rituals.
– Birch trees have inspired artworks by famous artists like Wassily Kandinsky.
– Birch trees have been referenced in literature and poetry, such as Robert Frost’s works.
Evolutionary History and Distribution of Birch
– Birches are most closely related to alder within the Betulaceae family.
– The oldest known birch fossils date back to around 49 million years ago.
– These fossils were found in Washington State, USA.
– The species is Betula leopoldae from the early Eocene period.
– Birch trees have a long evolutionary history.
– Birches often form even-aged stands on well-drained, acidic soils.
– They are pioneer species that rapidly colonize open ground.
– Birches can become a threat to heathland if not controlled.
– Some birch species have a montane distribution.
– Mycorrhizal fungi can be beneficial to birch tree growth.
– Birch trees can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia.
– Birch trees prefer cool temperate climates.
– Birch trees are commonly found in forests, wetlands, and mountainous regions.
– The Flora of North America and Flora of China provide comprehensive information on birch species. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birch
A birch is a thin-leaved deciduous hardwood tree of the genus Betula (/ˈbɛtjʊlə/), in the family Betulaceae, which also includes alders, hazels, and hornbeams. It is closely related to the beech-oak family Fagaceae. The genus Betula contains 30 to 60 known taxa of which 11 are on the IUCN 2011 Red List of Threatened Species. They are a typically rather short-lived pioneer species widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in northern areas of temperate climates and in boreal climates.
| Birch Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
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| Betula pendula (Silver birch) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fagales |
| Family: | Betulaceae |
| Subfamily: | Betuloideae |
| Genus: | Betula L. |
| Subgenera | |
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| Range of Betula | |
| Synonyms | |
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