Tree of the Week: January 7th, 2025
It’s time for the first Tree of the Week in 2025! ArborNote’s Tree of the Week is the Himalayan Birch (Betula utilis) because the Birch tree is symbolic for new beginnings, perfect for the new year! Native to the Western Himalayas, growing at elevations up to 14,800 ft. It is used as an ornamental tree around the world because of its bright white bark. In its native habitat, B. utilis tends to form forests, growing as a shrub or tree reaching up to 66 ft tall.. The tree depends on moisture from snowmelt, rather than from the monsoon rains. They often have very bent growth due to the pressure of the deep winter snow in the Himalaya.The Latin specific epithet utilis means “useful”, and refers to the many uses of the different parts of the tree. The white, paper-like bark was used in ancient times as a writing surface for manuscripts of Sanskrit literature. It is still used as paper for the writing of mantras, with the bark placed in an amulet and worn for protection. The bark is also used for packaging material (particularly butter), roof construction, umbrella covers, bandages, and more!
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