| Actual Image
A Crooked Birch (51)
Argus
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3840 W: 190 N: 11430]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (35227) | Silver Birch (Betula pendula)
Swedish names: several that include Hängbjörk, Masurbjörk or Vårtbjörk
We visited a nature reserve just north of Uppsala. The snow was disappearing to reveal the brownish grass and plants that had not yet the time to show signs of growth that mark the surge of spring. But it was nice to be out in the warmth of the sun.
We saw this crooked birch, its twisted limbs showing signs of some kind of damage during its growth. A normal birch is on the right and a sapling on the left.
The Silver Birch is common in most of Europe except in the very south, where it occurs in mountainous areas. Younger trees are characterised by a silvery white bark that easily peals, but as the tree gets older it becomes thick and furrowed. The scientific name refers to the hanging habit that the ends of the branches of older trees have. Cultivated varieties can by even more hanging like a weeping willow. It is rare for a birch to reach the age of more than 100 years.
Birch is used for furniture and its logs make excellent bright burning firewood when dry. But firewood is not a good way of heating up a home in these days of climate change and air pollution.
This is an unusual type of image for me. I took it with my compact and used a low aperture to try to emphasise the tree. I tried to take this as much against the strong sunlight as possible and wish I could have taken this without the vapour trail in the sky but that’s life as it is today. |
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