Hug This Tree: Paper Birch
The Paper Birch is the state tree of New Hampshire. It’s also know as the Canoe Birch, Silver Birch, and White Birch, among other names. Kids usually love this tree due to it’s peeling, paper thin bark, which, in the past was actually used by some as a paper substitute.
photo: Evanston Ecology Center
Other uses for this tree includes canoes, toothpicks, and pulpwood. I loved these trees as a kid, sadly because they were fun to peel. The white bark is so neat.
Some cool facts according to the Evanston Ecology Center include:
- It’s the first tree to grow back after a fire wipes out a wooded area.
- The bark burns well even when wet.
- The tree’s sap can produce syrup, wine, beer, and medicinal tonic.
These grow all over the place, of course in some places more than others, but, there’s a good chance you’ve seen one.
I’ve always loved these trees even though I don’t see them as often now.