The bark has been used to make a plethora of things. Sheets of bark were perfect as paper substitutes. Applied to roofs, it provided a level of waterproofing against the rain. You could mould the bark into shoes, or use strips woven together to make baskets for soft fruit. Birch is equally associated with protection and fertility. Today folks still whip themselves with birch twigs after a sauna, some say to increase fertility, others suggest it drives away evil spirits. The belief that birch switches would drive out evil spirits probably explains their use in the corporal punishment dealt out to naughty schoolchildren – and more serious offenders – for many centuries. Witches’ brooms or besoms are usually constructed of birch twigs lashed to a handle of hazel. (Not that I have one myself!)

The birch is monoecious, which means it carries male and female flowers on the same plant. These are wind pollinated catkins. Male catkins are yellowish, and grow through the winter maturing as the birch leaves grow in spring, then dropping. These are long catkins, easily visible, and carried in groups of 3 or 4 at the tips of the shoots.There are three species of birch present in Britain. Two of them, the silver birch ( Betula pendula) and the downy birch ( Betula pubescens), are pretty much widespread, while the third, the dwarf birch ( Betula nana), is confined largely to the highlands of Scotland. Kermath, BM et al. (2013) Food plants in the americas: a survey of the domesticated, cultivated, and wild plants used for human food in north, central and south america and the caribbean. I’ve seen other people make natural plant supports from clippings. But not being a very handy person, I hadn’t thought of actually trying it myself. Ash has so much folklore surrounding it; it’s hard just to focus on a few elements. There is no doubt the tree was held sacred by the people of the UK and beyond. According to Hesiod, the people of the third age of the world (Bronze Age) were born of the Ash tree. Teutonic mythology argues the first people came from the Ash tree with links to Yggdrasil, the world tree, spine of the worlds. Ash and human birth are linked in many ways. In the Highlands, the midwife would make sure the first thing a newborn ate was ash sap. She did this by placing a green ash branch into the fire and letting the sap drip out the other end onto a spoon, feeding it straight away to the bairn just born. For communities, this time of year was all about the feast, propitiation and divination and a rest from work. Charity to others in the community was also a big part of Yule.

There are two main Birch trees in the UK, the Silver birch Betula pendula and the Downy birch Betula pubescens. The Downy birch tends to grow better in wetter areas and in the north. The Silver birch likes drier soils and is often found growing ornamentally in gardens and cities. Birch twigs 150 pcs.,Birch twigs bundle,woodland wedding,birch branch,wedding decor,twig wreath.decorative twigs.tree decor.Set of 1 bundle

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Birch broom Birch twigs bundle branches Spring home decor Rustic easter decor Handmade decorative broom Halloween broom Birch tree decor Leaves yield a reddish dye, while the catkins provide a sunshine yellow colour. History: Food and Medicine

The bark of a mature silver birch is a beautiful milky white with a texture like paper, and it will peel to reveal dark fissures as the tree ages. Younger twigs may be reddish in colour, becoming paler as they develop. The bark of downy birch is greyish brown, and patterned with darker horizontal grooves. Both species have long and slender branches, those of the silver birch tending to droop gracefully while those of the downy birch are carried more upright. Silver birch bark

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Birch trees support over 300 insect species, and birch woodland provides a wonderful habitat for woodland flowers. By contrast, terms like " Eton birch" are used for a school birch made from smaller birch tree twigs. Over 300 insect species are associated with birch, including a lot of aphid species. In turn, this means that Birch trees are great for ladybirds who feast on the aphids. Moths such as Angleshades, Buff tip, and Kentish Glory have Birch as host plant for their caterpillars. Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus settled on the ground in birch scrub White birch branches 15"-30"tall twigs white birch twigs birch bunch white wedding centerpiece wooden branches vase filler windows festiveThis tall tree is recognisable by its smooth, shiny bark often pale or white with deep furrows in mature specimens. It can grow up to 25 m high.