Time to pay some #homage to the trusty #Birch (#Betula) ready for some facts?

1. The Birch is a #pioneer species meaning they are one of the first #species to #colonize a previously untouched #ecosystem.

2.Birch bark is #natures #fire lighter, it #burns exceptionally well. If you cant get a fire going in #winter/wet weather the answer is usually more birch bark!

3.The #Bluetooth symbol or #Berkenan is a rune named after the birch.

4.When the buds of a birch are the size of a #squirrel claw (?!) Is the perfect time to tap the Birch for its #Sap.

5. Birch #Tar (the process of releasing the #oils from the bark, using #heat and collecting) is a #thermalplastic and was used for a wide range of things….gluing #arrowheads, making #tooth fillings and #waterproofing.

6. The punishment of “#birching” was a direct reference to tying birch withies together and whipping unfortunate #sailors/schoolboys.

7. The #Hughes #H4 #Hercules (spruce goose) was built primarily of birch wood.

8. The inner bark is #edible similar to #coniferous trees. Therefore Birch is technically a wild edible