Birch

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Birch (Betula)

Birch (pronounced: /bɜːrtʃ/; from Old English birce, akin to Old Norse bjǫrk) is a broadleaved deciduous hardwood tree of the genus Betula, in the family Betulaceae, which also includes alders, hazels, and hornbeams, and is closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae.

Description

Birch trees are characterized by their thin peeling bark, which often peels away in strips. The bark is usually white to pale grey, often with black marks and scars. The leaves are alternate, singly or doubly serrate, feather-veined, petiolate and stipulate. The flowers are wind-pollinated catkins, produced in spring before the leaves.

Species

There are about 60 different species of birch. The most common include the silver birch (Betula pendula), the downy birch (Betula pubescens), and the yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis).

Uses

Birch has a multitude of historical uses but is less used today. The wood of the birch tree can be used for furniture and plywood due to its light color and fine grain. It is also used for firewood due to its high calorific value. The bark of the birch can be used for tanning or as a paper substitute. The sap can be tapped and used to make birch syrup.

Medicinal Uses

Birch has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. The leaves, bark, and buds of the tree are used to make medicine. Birch is used for infections of the urinary tract that affect the kidney, bladder, ureters, and urethra. It is also used for conditions of the heart and blood vessels, including high cholesterol.

See Also

External links

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