As a child, I remember seeing tall, slender birch trees in the forest near a lake we used to go to. Their distinguishing factor was their startling white trunks! Tall and often slender, they seemed as regal as kings among the oaks and evergreens.
We also used to drink birch beer soda that has a very distinct taste, one I never really liked that much.
While living away from New England for many decades, I missed seeing these stately trees with their thin, papery white bark. Now that this area of the country is my home again, I can, once again, enjoy seeing beautiful birch trees.
The Internet's Wikipedia has quite a bit of information about birch trees that was very new to me. For instance, the fragrant twigs of silver birches are used in sauna baths to relax muscles.
Also, in Germany, Central and Eastern Europe and Russia, according to Wikipedia, the people decorate churches and homes with birch branches on the first of Pentacost . Pentacost, by the way, in Christian tradition, commemorates when the Holy Spirit appeared to Christ's disciples after he rose from the dead.
Diuretic tea can be made from the leaves of the tree as well as extracts for dyes and cosmetics.
Wikipedia also noted that birch burns well as firewood. It has been used to make cabinets, canoes, and wigwams. It's also the national tree of Russa.
Here's one last tidbit of folklore pertaining to birch trees. In Germany, on May Day, young men put decorated birch trees in front of the homes of girls they are interested in romantically.
As for me, I just like looking at them.
DO YOU HAVE BIRCH TREES WHERE YOU LIVE? IF NOT, HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ONE?
DO YOU HAVE BIRCH TREES WHERE YOU LIVE? IF NOT, HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ONE?
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