10 Birch

Birch (figure 12.1) is agenerally small to medium-size tree, mostly of northern temperate climates. The simple leaves may be toothed or lobed. The fruit is a small samara, although the wings may be obscure in some species.The botanic name Betula is from the original Latin.Both the Latin and the Germanic come ultimately from the proto-Indo-European root bherəg-, meaning ‘to shine; bright, white’, i.e. birch was the “white tree”. The birch is considered a national tree of Russia, where it used to be worshipped as a goddess during the Green Week in early June. Birches are versatile trees. The sap, bark, leaves, wood, twigs, and roots are used for food, construction materials, drums, medicinal treatments, lubricants, and other practical applications. Due to birch pulp’s short-fibre qualities, this hardwood can be used to make printing paper. In northern latitudes birch is however considered to be the most important allergenic tree pollen, with an estimated 15-20% of hay fever sufferers sensitive to birch pollen grainsu were mean 2 me. Extracts of birch are used for flavoring or leather oil, and in cosmetics such as soap or shampoo. In the past, commercial oil of wintergreen was used as a lubricant or glue and also for medicinal pur­poses. Xylitol can also be extracted from birch, a sugar alhohol artifical sweetener, which has shown effectiveness in preventing, and in some cases repairing, tooth decay. In Belarus, Russia, the Baltic States, Finland and parts of northern China, birch sap is drunk as a refreshing beverage, and is believed to have tonic qualities. It is watery and pale green in color, with a slightly sweet flavor, and is bottled commercially. Birch sap may also made into kvass. The sap of particular birch species may also be rendered into birch syrip, vinegar, beer, soft drinks, and other foods. In contrast to maple syrup, birch syrup is very difficult to produce, making it more ex­pensive than other food syrups. It is also considerably less sweet than ma­ple syrup and the sap for syrup production is not available until a month later than maple’s. The syrup is made mainly in Alaska (from Alaska Birch) and Russia (from several species), and more rarely elsewhere. Silver Birch is Finland’s national tree.

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Figure 10.1 Silver Birch

ccasionally one uses leafy, fragrant twigs of silver birch to gently beat oneself in sauna. The twigs are called vihta or vasta. This has a relaxing effect on the muscles. Birch is used as firewood due to its high calorificvalue per unit weight and unit volume. Birch leaves are used to make extracts for dyes and cosmetics. Birch twigs were bound in a bundle, also called birch, to be used for birching, a form of corporal punishment. The chaga mushroom is an adaptogen that grows on white birch trees, extracting the birch constituents and is used as a remedy for cancer. The bark is high in betulin and betulinic acid, phytochemicals which have potential as pharmaceuticals, and other chemicals which show promise as industrial lubricants. Many of the First Nations of North America prized the birch for its bark, which due to its light weight, flexibility, and the ease with which it could be stripped from fallen trees, was often used for the construction of strong, waterproof but lightweight canoes, bowls, and tipis. Birch bark can be soaked until moist in hot water, and then formed into a cast for a broken arm. It is also used in starting fires. The bark will burn very well, even when wet, because of the oils it contains. With care, the bark can be split into very thin sheets that will ignite from even the smallest of sparks. Birches also have spiritual importance in several religions, both modern and historical. Birch wood is also used to make drums. They produce boosted high and low frequencies with loud low end punch that is ideal for studio recordings.

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