The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1870-01-06
For the Record.
TREES AND SHRUBS OF OHIO,
BY REV. G. II. WARREN.

Inc trees composing Inc
birch family are exceedingly
interesting, both in trunk and
foliage. They are quite res
markable for their beautiful,
smooth, silyery white or red.
dish cOlored stems and delicate
spray. AS a family of trees
they will endure o more vigor'
Gus climate, or, grow at a
greater elevation above the
level of the sea than almost
any other family OF trees. They
are found ilourishing in the far
snowy north as we'll as in the
more temperate climes.
BLACK BIRCH.-(Betula Lentd.)
This is tie fine tree known
in our country as the Sweet
Birch. 1t is pretty generally
diffused over the hilly portions
of the Middle and Southern
States. 1t is met with gener-
ally in rocky localities, associ.
ated with the egant Hemlock,
the trailing Yew, and ever yer.
dant Laurel. Throughout the
Southeastern portions of Ohio
you will often meet with a
small winding stream, muro
muring through the deeply
shaded hollows, leaping over
ledge after ledge of rocks,
gurgling onward, making the
sweetest lulling melody, as it
glides amidst scenery the most
rich and romantic in character.
In such a delightful and fasci'
mating situation, where the
bright rays of the MONDAY sun
scarcely ever fall, this charm
ing tree is won't to grow, and to
flourish. On tho Sloping hill
sides, ESPECIALLY on the north
ern oneS)itis found plentifully.
Leaves of this pretty tree are
cordate, ovate, accuminate,
sharply serrate; the nerves be
meath hairy, as we'll as the leaf.
stalks. This noble birch often
rises up fifty or sixty feet in
height with a trunk two or three
feet in diameter. The trunk is
clothed with a dark brown or
reddish bark, which becomes
rough as the tree becomes
aged, and is noted for its agree
ably aromatic fragrance and
flavor; the twigs and foliage
when chewed produce spicy
pleasant taste. This tree is
sometimes called the Cherry
Birch, because it greatly in the
color of the bark and foliage
resembles the cherry tree, eS-
pecially young trees. The
timber of the Black Birch is
Of beautiful rose-color, fine
grained, and very valuable for
cabinet work, being strong and
compact, resembling very much
the wood of the Wild Cherry.
Very early the swelling buds
and bursting foliage appears,
as if to welcome the sweet
balmy days of reviving spring.
The tender green leaves which
are so agreeable to the eye
are covered for about two
weeks with a thick silvery
down. The blossoms, which
are exceedingly beautiful, hang
like small brown tassels from
the pendant branches, creating
an object of interest to the low
er of nature. This elegant and
graceful tree, with its white,
silvery bark, extreme delicacy
of spray, airiness of foliage,
pendant, sweeping branches,
cannot fail to place it high up,
in the catalogue of ornamental
| trees. Most beautiful offorest
trees, the "lady of the wood" "
Well may the poet speak of
our birches in the lollowin g
grand and sublime language:
See the beautiful birch tree fling
It's shade ON the grass beneath
Its glossy leaf, and its silvery stem;
Dost thou not love to look on them |?
Could any sight be more
delightful, to look out from the
window of the dwelling upon a
large group of fine trees.