Water Birch

"Water Birch" (Betula occidentalis)

2007 June 22

2007 June 22

2007 June 22

2008 July 19

We found these trees growing down near the lake ... it is a tree that is very fond of water. These trees don't grow very large so don't have much of a "commercial" use. The dark bark does not peel off like the paper birch. It was used as firewood by "the locals" because of the bituminous content of the bark ... which makes it highly flammable.

Water Birch and Paper Birch can hybridize to produce a varied looking species. Back on "the moist trail" in our area we have found many such hydridized trees. The bark of the hybrids will peel with age.