Because of it's high tar content, the bark is very flammable makes great kindling for starting camp fires.

@Realunitedstates

4 жыл бұрын

Well, we do use all of the small limbs and brush that falls from the tree for kindling, and it seems to work quite well.

Thank you for the historic side of birches plus the bonus learning! I've always loved birches and planted three in my yard (populifolia). Super interesting about the really rare birch, too.... based on your description, seems like it's a murrayana.

@Realunitedstates

4 жыл бұрын

Outstanding! Yes, I was talking about the murrayana! I hope that someone is trying to propagate it. Thanks so much!! Paul

In old times we(russians) hugged this tree in yearning and nostalgic feelings.

@Realunitedstates

4 жыл бұрын

Wow, that is so cool! I had not heard of that before. Thanks for sharing. Now I want to go back out and give my tree a hug. :-)

@terryboyer1342

4 жыл бұрын

Zlata Isn't it also tradition for Russians to lash themselves with white birch boughs to improve circulation while in the banya (sauna)?

@zlatafruhling1948

4 жыл бұрын

@@terryboyer1342 yep. And this is really pleasantly. We use not only birch boughs for it. Try it, i hardly recommend (if you have healthy vessels ofc, i don't wanna hurt you) aanddd go to dive in cold water or snow. You will feel yourself like a newborn child. ;) Sorry for grammar mistakes.

Lovely video as always. I’ve been watching your videos while stuck in the house and loving it. Thanks for teaching us all about your country!

@Realunitedstates

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for joining us! I'm glad you're enjoying our videos. I am still trying to make some new content.

Love white birches. The ones I remember are much whiter. Not one to be found here in Georgia. I remember as a kid burning birch in grandparents fire place. Easy to start and fast burning with big flame. I think Klipsch speakers use birch for cabinets. Just heard Georgia's re opening this Friday.

@Realunitedstates

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, Georgia is way south of the range for birch. At least the species I am familiar with. We collect all of the branches that fall off this tree and use it in the fireplace or stove. It burns well and looks nice in the wood rack. Nothing goes to waste around here.

That was very interesting Paul and Bev. Glad you're both OK still. The council over here in the UK are starting to plant silver birches on the streets rather then the previous trees which dripped sap like mad and covered the cars in a mad goop. When I am out with the dog, I have this urge to peel some bark off (no pun intended) Sorry to read about the lockdown protests in Lansing over there last week.

@Realunitedstates

4 жыл бұрын

I am sorry about the protests in the news as well. Needless to say we were not a party to any of it. I am glad to hear about the planting of the silver birches. I personally live birch trees, and they have really lovely foliage in the autumn as well. We are well, and I am glad to hear from you. Hope you are doing good and staying well! Paul

That looks very much like what we in England call a silver birch, very interesting

@Realunitedstates

4 жыл бұрын

They are closely related species, as I understand it. Very common sight around the world, with relatively minor differences in the many species.

wow canoes? made from that tree bark nice!

@Realunitedstates

4 жыл бұрын

It was a fairly common practice in early America.

It was a gorgeous day here in West Michigan. Thanks for you upload. What about the dry weed with leaves that looks like transparent coins; they look neat in the sunlight. Very lucky to have the endangered tree in your backyard. Do you sap it?

@Realunitedstates

4 жыл бұрын

No, we don't collect sap. I've just never gotten into that. No particular reason. It certainly was a beautiful day in West Michigan today. Thanks! Paul

Hope all is well with you thank you for the videos

@Realunitedstates

Жыл бұрын

Things are good. We are well, and we are doing reasonably well. Thanks!

@Nowrongdoer

Жыл бұрын

@@Realunitedstates that is awsome really glad to hear it. Thank you again for teaching us about our country.

This was really interesting. I hadn't thought deeply about then or that birch would have activity endangered (and so far along!!) species like that. You always find a way to find topics thst I didn't know I wanted to read more about. I had massively romanticized this tree as a kid and was someone who would send birch bark letters whenever we we staying somewhere with them. The song land of the silver birch is likely the main culprit. Brownies is responsible for a lot! 😂 and singing this in the round every week for years proves to be good indoctrination! Then add the tales of birch bark canoes, 'paper', and used to weatherproof homes and I was a goner! We live on hard clay in this part of town so birch trees were never a possiblity but I have always wanted ones of my own so am very jealous of you out there livin the dream! 🤪 (seriously though it kinda is)

@Realunitedstates

4 жыл бұрын

Wow Annie, I am always surprised when one of our videos touches a nerve, a memory, a feeling, or just sparks some newfound interest. The trees around us all seem to have some interesting and often important role in our history and economy, yet because there are quite literally ubiquitous they become invisible to us. Every once in a while I like to stop and think about or talk about them.

This burch is at the land of your house.

@Realunitedstates

4 жыл бұрын

Yep, this is in my back yard.

@Ahuntsicspotter

4 жыл бұрын

@@Realunitedstates Its there to stay.