41 Birch Facts: Awesome Facts About This Hardwood Tree

Birch trees belong to the family of Betulaceae just like hazels, hornbeams, and alders.

It is a deciduous tree found in countries with a cool climate in the Northern Hemisphere. Did you know that there are 60 different species of birch trees?

The bark of birch trees can be a variety of different colors such as grey, silver, black, yellow, and white. In this article, we will be covering some of the most interesting facts about Birch trees which will include where they grow, what their uses are, their appearance, and many more amazing facts. So, keep reading!

Where do birch trees grow?

Every tree requires a specific type of climatic condition to grow and prosper; this also applies to birch trees. You may be surprised to learn that this tree isn't found everywhere on the planet. It does have some specific climatic requirements.

• Birch trees grow in moist soil along with sunlight. However, one of the best qualities of some species of the birch tree is that they can grow on acidic soil too, due to which they are regarded as a pioneer species of their kind. Pioneer species are those who can replenish an area quickly, which was left fallow earlier.
• They are generally found in high altitudes and can be easily found in cool places in Northern Europe, Asia, Canada, and the U.S.A.
• As many as 60 different varieties or species of the birch tree are known to date.
• Generally, the average height of birch trees is 40 ft(12.2 m) but, among the different varieties of birch trees, yellow birch and paper birch could grow up to a height of 80 ft(24.4 m).
• The average lifespan of the birch tree is below 50 years but, some birch trees have lived longer, in some cases, they can live up to 150-200 years.
• Birch trees can be easily recognized by the dark markings resembling shapes of diamonds or arrows on their bark, where deep ridges show their old age. Young trees have light strips on their bark; the bark is also smoother.
• Birch leaves also have many shades from light to dark green which becomes yellow or acquires an orange hue in autumn.

What do birch trees look like?

It is easy to get confused between a birch tree or an Aspen tree, though both of them appear similar from a distance, you can identify a birch tree based on the facts shown below.

• The birch tree's bark appears to be peeling whereas the bark of the Aspen tree is rough, cracked in places, and cannot be peeled.
• The shape of the birch leaves is triangular or sometimes takes a 'v' shape with easily visible margins that make it stand out from other trees.
• On the birch trees, the male flowers are known as 'catkins' that bloom in summer whereas the female flower blooms during spring with the leaves. Both flowers stay together on these trees.
• It might be shocking but, the fruit that's grown on the birch tree, known as 'Samara,' releases around one million birch seeds annually!
• Pollen grains released by birch trees lead to rising cases of hay fever by 10-20% in most parts of the Northern Hemisphere.
• Wide varieties of birch trees are found on the planet. Their names and species differ from region to region, some of which are white birch, yellow birch, paper birch, gray birch, river birch, cherry birch, Himalayan birch, black birch, sweet birch, and many more.
• The White birch tree is native to Europe and is called by different names depending on the region, such as Hairy birch or Moor birch.
• The silver birch is known for its weeping appearance because of its hanging branches that move to and fro. It is also known by names such as Lady of the Wood, Weeping birch, European White birch.
• Among the 60 species of the birch tree, 11 are listed in the IUCN list of threatened trees species.
• The birch tree is considered sacred by the ancient Siberians.
• In Chinese culture, the birch tree is known as the symbol of protection and recreation.
• The birch tree gets respect in the form of becoming the national tree of Russia.
• Finland also honors the birch tree by making them their national tree.

Uses Of The Birch Tree

Birchwood tree has a wide number of uses which could range from making furniture, decorative purposes, to medicinal use. Every species of this tree has some valuable characteristics which are quite different from one another, making it valuable from a commercial point of view. Let's have a look at it.

• Japanese Monarch Birchwood is high in demand in the plywood industry. It is used for making furniture, flooring, and the ply can be used to make skateboards.
• The bark of Yellow birch trees can also catch fire even in winters due to the density of the wood. It also gives a pleasant smell.
• Paper birch also can burn even when it is wet, which is why it is the most reliable tree for hikers and people on adventurous outings.
• Oil extracted from the birch bark trees can be used as an antiseptic and bug repellant. Birch oil could also be used as glue, a flavoring ingredient, in soaps, and beauty products within the cosmetic industry.
• During the spring in many European countries, birch sap water is used as a beverage to refresh the body. One can also get birch syrup by boiling birch sap; it smells pleasant and tastes amazing.
• There are some more interesting facts regarding specific species of birch wood trees such as silver birch, gray birch, Himalayan birch, and many more.
• Birch twigs of some species have a pleasant smell and are used for fragrances in saunas.
• Sweet birch also releases a special oil that has many commercial uses.
• The gray birch tree is often used as a landscaping tree. It helps in maintaining ecology in the forest as some of the butterfly species also feed off of gray birch foliage.
• In Finland, the leaves of birch trees are used for making tea.
• In some countries, traditional wines made from birch trees are made during the preparation of festivals.
• One species of birch known as heritage birch are pest-resistant so you don't have to worry about these young trees catching any pests.
• The plywood of this tree is also used to make toys and models.

Did You Know...

Some of the ancient facts about the birch trees are listed down below. We are quite sure that if you found the above-mentioned facts useful, you would like these facts as well!

1. Historically, the bark of the birch tree was used to make arrows, baskets, canoes, and wigwam.
2. Birch paper was used to write ancient texts. During ancient times of some Asian countries, the bark of the Himalayan birch tree was used to write their texts. The bark peels are white, easily available, handy, and water-resistant.
3. Before the early '70s, birch plywood was also used to make drums.
4. The twigs of silver birch are used to make garden brooms. The bark of this silver birch tree is used in leather tanning industries.
5. Did you know that Caucasian birch is not a species of the birch tree? It is a mouse species!
6. The birch tree's importance is recognized by New Hampshire(U.S.A.) thus, declaring it the state tree.
7. The bark of the birch tree contains a substance that is also used as a remedy for stomach aches. It is believed that birch trees or parts of it can show traces of toxic elements in the human body. The symptoms are stomach cramps and can lead to heart disease which can be serious.
8. Apart from the uses, some people also cultivate birch trees because of the ornamental qualities of their twigs and leaves.