Birch

Growth form:

A birch is a thin-leaved deciduous hardwood tree.

General habitat:

Temperate and Boreal forests

Uses:

• Birch bark can be soaked until moist in water, and then formed into a cast for a broken arm.
• Wood pulp is used to make resilient paper
• Birch bark harvested in winter is also used as a alternative to hides for writing and records

Outside Info:

• Harpers value birch in making drums and sound cabinets for instruments due to a natural resonance that peaks in the high and low frequencies.