Amidst birches

 


This is very nostalgic for me ... my very first watercolor painting that set me off on a mission.

Many birch species, such as the paper birch (Betula papyrifera), have pale, almost white bark. This light coloration helps reflect sunlight, reducing heat absorption in colder climates and preventing damage from rapid temperature changes.

Birch bark often peels in thin, papery layers. This peeling characteristic helps the tree shed parasites, fungi, and epiphytes that might otherwise grow on its surface.

Birch bark contains betulin, a compound that gives it a bright, silvery-white appearance and also makes it highly resistant to decay. This compound has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which help protect the tree from disease.

I used logs of a birch tree to create a whimsical Woodhenge in my backyard.

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