Paper Birch

Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)

While it is the state tree of New Hampshire, this tree is historically very valuable to many lucrative Maine exports like the toothpick. The Paper Birch is also called the “Canoe Birch” for how it was used by early settlers and indigenous populations to craft canoes. Occurring in pure stands or mixed in with other species, it thrives in rich, moist soil along streams, the borders of lakes, near ponds, and usually in young forests. As a young child, I remember learning about the dangers of removing bark from living trees only after being reprimanded by a teacher for peeling a large and satisfying sheet from a paper birch on a field trip. Never did that again!