Birch trees are the most common deciduous trees in Russia. Many poets have dedicated songs to them, and their image can be seen in paintings by famous artists. Almost every yard has this tree, which stands in a snowy coat during winter, with its delicate branches weighed down by snow, and delights with its golden foliage in autumn.

1. There are about a hundred species of birch trees on our planet.

2. Most species of birch (such as the silver birch, the dwarf birch, the Chinese white birch, etc. can grow in any type of soil, as they are not demanding in terms of conditions. The Maximovich birch prefers alkaline soils, while the dwarf birch thrives in peaty and loamy soils. Fertilizing the soil is not necessary for their growth.

3. Birch trees are long-lived. They can live from 100 to 400 years.

4. Birch trees grow slowly in their early years, but their growth accelerates quickly. At the age of 180-200 years, a birch tree can reach a height of 30-45 meters and a diameter of 65 cm.

5. The image of the birch tree is widely spread in the culture of Slavs, Finno-Ugric peoples, Scandinavians, and some other nations.

6. Cut birch trunks release sap, which was particularly popular in the mid-20th century in the Soviet Union because it was rich in vitamins B6 and B12. There was an industrial production of birch sap, which was sold in 3-liter jars. It was considered one of the cheapest drinks, with a glass costing about 8 kopecks.

7. Birch trees are monoecious, meaning both male and female flowers are found on the same tree.

8. The bark of birch trees is white due to a resinous substance called betulin, which protects the tree from unfavorable external factors, including parasites.

9. Birch leaves and buds are known for their health benefits. They have diuretic, febrifuge, bactericidal, and wound-healing properties.

10. Among birch trees, there are also shrubs, such as the dwarf birch.

11. The ancient Slavic word for “birch“ originates from the verb “to be white.“

12. Birch seeds are spread very far due to their extreme lightness: there are about 5,000 seeds per gram!

13. Some species of mushrooms grow exclusively under birch trees, such as the boletus edulis, birch bolete, black chanterelle, and pink waxcap, as well as some species of russula.

14. In the Russian Far East, there is a tree called “iron birch,“ which has very hard wood that can be compared in strength to a welded iron seam.

15. The largest beetle in Europe, the stag beetle, lives in birch trees.

16. Substances derived from birch trees are used in the production of soap and shampoos.

17. Slavs revered this tree. It was considered “lucky“ and protected the house from evil, but at the same time, it was associated with female demons and the deceased.

18. Birch brooms are not only an essential attribute of Russian baths but also fodder for livestock, which is harvested for winter.

19. Birch bark is an excellent material for weaving baskets, bast shoes, baskets, and boxes.

20. 75 kilograms of birch bark yield 22.5 kilograms of pure tar.

21. Birch bark serves as an excellent natural alternative to tinder for starting a fire. Since birch bark does not allow water to pass through, it is ideal for this purpose.

22. In Finland, birch leaves are used to make tea.

23. Birch logs are not used for building houses. The wood is not durable and prone to decay.

24. Even decaying birch leaves are beneficial: they release substances that are useful for other plants and promote their growth.

25. According to ancient folk beliefs, the scent of birch helps protect against the evil eye and saves from melancholy. It was also believed that birch sap collected in certain days of March and April can purify the blood.