Silver Birch (Betula pendula)
Scientific Name: Betula pendula
Native Home: Europe and parts of northern and central Asia.
Height: Typically 50–80 ft (15–25 m).
Lifespan: Around 60–100 years.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Light-colored wood used for furniture, plywood, flooring, and crafts.
Sap: Collected in early spring and used to make drinks and syrup.
Harvesting Method: Mature trees are felled for timber, while sap is collected by carefully tapping the trunk.
Age to Harvest: Timber trees are generally harvested after several decades of growth.
Products: Furniture, plywood, paper pulp, sap beverages, and ornamental trees.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Birch bark was historically used for containers, crafts, and other practical items.
Global Spread: Native to Europe and Asia, it is planted in parks and gardens and grown commercially in suitable cool climates.
){kind=link}