commonly known silver birch birch species tree family native europe parts asia southern europe found higher altitudes range extends siberia china southwest asia mountains northern turkey northern iran introduced north_america known european white birch considered invasive states usa parts canada tree found temperate regions australia silver birch medium sized deciduous tree owes common white bark trunk twigs slender leaves roughly triangular margins turn yellow autumn fall flowers light winged seed widely scattered wind silver birch hardy tree pioneer species trees appear bare fire swept land species birds animals found birch woodland tree supports wide range insects light shade casts allows plants grow beneath canopy planted parks gardens forest products timber jumps parts tree traditional medicine bark contains shown medicinal properties description silver birch medium sized deciduous tree typically reaching tall exceptionally metres slender trunk usually diameter bark trunk branches golden brown later turns white result tissue developing surface bark remains smooth tree gets large older trees bark irregular dark rugged young branches whitish twigs slender small sticky development terminal dies away growth continues lateral shoots long bear male tip short bear female immature male present winter female develop spring soon leaves leaves short slender long triangular broad wedge shaped bases slender pointed tips double toothed margins sticky age leaving small white scales foliage pale medium green turns yellow early autumn leaves fall mid summer female mature male expand release wind takes place small winged seeds late summer cylindrical long broad seeds numerous separated scales seeds spread widely wind distribution habitat silver birch grows naturally western europe eastwards siberia province china southwards mountains northern iran iraq turkey native northern morocco parts world southern parts range mainly found mountainous regions light seeds easily blown wind pioneer species trees bare land forest fire needs plenty light best dry acid soils found tolerance pollution suitable planting industrial areas exposed sites introduced north_america known european white birch considered invasive states kentucky maryland washington wisconsin locally invasive parts canada taxonomy closely related northern asia central asia treated varieties silver birch var var respectively birch classification distinguished related birch common european birch having shoots birch triangular leaves double margins single birch bark scattered black birch distinguished silver birch sets birch sets hybrids known rare sterile differences habitat requirements silver birch found mainly dry sandy soils birch common wet poorly drained sites clay soils silver birch demands slightly summer warmth birch significant cooler parts europe north american texts treat species cause confusion combining birch alternative vernacular white birch scientific species regarded distinct species europe synonyms include var var var raf montana var rejected applied ecology silver birch open canopy allows plenty light reach ground allows variety grasses flowering plants grow beneath turn attract insects flowering plants found birch woods include violet viola wood wood small shrubs grow forest floor include birds found birch woodland include tree willow robin green branches silver birch masses twigs known witch growing caused fungus old trees killed decay fungus fallen branches rapidly forest floor tree commonly grows mycorrhizal fungus relationship applies particularly acidic nutrient poor soils mycorrhizal associates include shown presence soil assists growth tree nutrients larvae large number species butterflies insects feed leaves parts silver birch germany species insect found silver birch including beetles insect species feeding exclusively birch birch disease affect planted trees naturally trees susceptible disease affects reported sites planted birch scotland 1990s united_states wood attacked bronze birch insect pest natural resistance uses silver birch planted parks gardens grown white bark shoots warmer places los_angeles sydney scandinavia regions northern europe grown forest products lumber pulp aesthetic purposes ecosystem services pioneer nurse tree silver birch wood pale colour distinct making furniture blocks kitchen makes good produces good heat burnt quickly consumed flames bark making roof wooden historically bark bark heated collected excellent useful starting fires thin sheets bark young wood contain easy wet dead twigs useful outdoor fires birch jumps spring large quantities rise trunk tapped contains similar way maple drunk fresh concentrated wine sweden bark birch trees ground bark bread form famine food removal bark time widespread expressed concern survival woodlands silver birch traditional medicine reputed useful treatment high blood pressure high kidney stones digestive disturbances respiratory diseases purposes bark leaves generally externally silver birch promote healing relieve pain treat skin outer bark contains main components essential oil present bark substances shown anti anti cancer properties silver birch finland national tree silver birch called gently beat oneself finnish culture cultivation successful birch cultivation requires climate cool occasional winter snowfall shallow rooted require water dry periods grow best sun planted deep drained soil called birch finland wood hard decorative wood carving commonly deeply leaves branches dark purple leaves erect trunk dense growth central leader requires standard stem normal silver birch marked gained
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