RIVER BIRCH
Native to Georgia Family: betulaceae
Native Americans, particularly the Ojibwa tribes, used birch bark for building canoes, houses, and creating utensils and storage containers. The bark was also used to create birch bark scrolls which were used to record history and stories.
The bark of the birch tree, including the river birch, has been historically used as a writing material in various cultures. In India, the thin bark was used as writing paper for ancient texts, while in Russia, it was used for notepaper and decorative items.
Today the wood continues to be used for various wood products, including veneer and plywood.
The tree also produces catkins which are the trees flowers. They have male and female catkins on the same tree.
The leaves are simple, alternate, and have a triangular-ovate shape with serrated edges. They are typically medium green and turn yellow in the fall.
River birch trees are known for their unique and attractive peeling bark, which is a natural and healthy characteristic of the species. The bark peels in thin, papery strips, often revealing shades of cinnamon, tan, and pink underneath. This exfoliating bark is not a sign of disease or distress, but rather a natural process that helps the tree regulate moisture, temperature, and nutrient flow.