Habitat.—Moist fertile uplands and along streams.
Notes.—This large birch is associated with other mountain species such as Spruce, Hemlock, Black Cherry, and Black Birch. It furnishes valuable lumber and is a rapid grower. The characteristic appearance of the bark, described above, will prevent the confusion of this tree with its close relative, the Black Birch.
RED BIRCH
Betula nigra, L.
Form.—Height, 50-90 feet, diameter, 1-3 feet; trunk usually short, dividing into two or three large ascending limbs; crown irregular, oblong.
Leaves.—Alternate, simple, 1½ to 3 inches long, round-ovate, acute, doubly serrate, sometimes cut or slightly lobed, deep green, pale yellow-green beneath.
Flowers.—April, before the leaves; monoecious; staminate formed in the fall and remaining over winter as short aments, usually in clusters of three and elongating in the spring to 2-3 inches; pistillate, short, erect, situated on twigs with the staminate flowers and back of them.
Fruit.—Cylindrical strobile, 1-1½ inches long; 3-lobed scales of strobile pubescent; nuts small, hairy, winged.