Interesting facts

Variations of the word "birch" can be found both in Sanskrit and among Slavic and Germanic peoples and always refers to the bright sheen of the glowing white bark. In line with the meaning, the various names such as the Old High German "birhha" or Old Indian "bharg" mean "to be bright, radiant, shining". The word "Borke" also comes from "birch", which emphasises this meaning. The scientific name "Betula" possibly comes from the Gallic and was also used by the Romans. The word "pendula" comes from the Latin word "pendere" = to hang down.

In the cycle of life, the birch embodies growth and coming into being. As the herald of spring, it was the symbol of reawakening life, purity and youth. Due to its beauty, in earlier times the spirit of this tree appeared to man as a maiden clothed in light, full of magic and healing powers. For the people of northern climes, the feast day of the birch was always a celebration of the rebirth and marriage of heaven and earth. This tradition is still followed today in the maypole erected on May Day.

There seems to be endless ways of using the birch: Stone Age man was already making clothes out of the bast from the bark, shoes and containers out of the bark and birch tar was used to secure arrow heads and harpoons. In Lapland, cloaks and leggings were made out of the young bark which is as soft and smooth as leather. The thin twigs were bound together to make besoms.
Birch bark was used for tanning and as paper. On account of its being impermeable to water, people in northern areas used to cover their roofs with it. Because it has many air pockets, the North American Indians used to build light canoes from it. Also on account of the insulating property of the air in the bark, the birch is one of the hardiest trees known.

Birch tar means that birch wood can be burnt even in a fresh and still damp state and is the basis for the perfume "Imperial Leather".

Birch sap was known as a beauty potion even in the days of the early Teutonic peoples. The buds and young leaves are also suitable as an additive in spring quark.

The thirsty birch is frequently planted today on damp ground for drainage purposes.