The Gift of a Paper Birch Tree

In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.  –Aristotle

One of the most marvelous trees in Nature is the Paper Birch.  It thrives in colder-climate regions, is one of the first species to grow after a wildfire in these northern climates, provides food for moose, deer, birds, and porcupines, and the bark is an excellent fire-starter, even when wet, because of its high oil content.  The leaves have been used for centuries by herbalists as a topical for skin problems as well as infusions for a wide array of internal problems.

These beautiful trees have been designated National Memorial Trees for Mothers with one planted at Arlington National Cemetery named the National Mothers’ Tree.  We are fortunate to have one right outside our front door.

The shiny white bark has characteristic ‘dashes’ in light gray, and as the tree grows, the older bark peels off in large curls.

The curls of peeling bark get stuck on the knots where the branches grow and hang on until it gets worked loose.

We also have a pile of logs from an old Birch that had to come down.  The rotting process has begun.  Often the inside wood will rot away leaving an empty shell of tough birch bark.

Fungi, like a stack of morning pancakes with frosty white syrup of snow, grows from one end of a log.

Colorful lichens decorate the ‘eye’ of the log where a branch was cut from the trunk.

There is something almost magical in the bark of a Paper Birch, with its strength, resiliency, and weather-proof properties.

From downed trees, the bark can be peeled off in thick layers.  The Native Americans used the bark for making containers and canoes, and for the shells of wigwams.

But in our household, Chris uses the bark to make ornaments for our Christmas tree and for gifts!

A marvelous tree—from beautiful live Mothers’ tree to downed logs to handmade gifts of Nature and Love.  In this season of advent, the ‘old’ is peeling away in anticipation of what’s to come—we make room for the new.  We may get hung up on knots of uncertainty, of doubts and fears, but whether we are ready or not, the Child is born to the Mother of God, the new year greets us, Joy is made available—do we embrace it?  Life is a magical, miraculous gift, and we are the strong, resilient participants, the givers, the receivers, and the gifts themselves.  From our household to yours, we wish you Love, Protection, and Peace!