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BIRCH
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NAME :
BIRCH
GAELIC NAME : BEITH,
BETH.
LATIN NAME : Betula alba.
COMMON / FOLK NAMES : White
Birch 
Canoe Birch
Paper Birch
Beithe
Bereza
Berke
Beth
Bouleau
Lady of the woods
MEDICINAL PART : Young
leaves
Bark
PLACES OF ORIGIN :
Ireland
Northern Europe
Northern U.S.
Canada
DESCRIPTION : White Birch is a tree found growing to a height of 65 feet in
Ireland, the Northern U.S., Canada, and Northern Europe. It has white bark which can be
peeled off in horizontal strips. Its leaves are cordate, bright green above and lighter
beneath, serrate, and glabrous or minutely hairy. The flowers are borne in male and female
catkins, the female developing into seed cones. The sap of the Silver birch tree can be tapped and can then be made into drinks it has a light sweet taste from the sugars wihin it the tree can only be tapped for 2 weeks of the year at the start of march when the sap is rising from the root system into the bark to promote the growth of the new years leaves
OTHER
VARIANTS: Betula pendula
Roth - Silver Birch
ASSOCIATED
FUNGUS:
Fly Agaric
This fungi has a
symbiotic relationship with the silver birch as it merges with the roots of the
tree and help it to absorb minerals in exchange for sugars from the tree.
PROPERTIES :
Astringent
Diuretic
Diaphoretic
MAGICAL USES
A sacred tree to the Druids. Birch rods were used for protection spells
and to protect the carrier from malign magic and influences. Twigs of
birch were incised with ogham and carried for protection in little pouches.
At the start of any project or journey call
on the power of the birch to protect you. Birch is the tree of new
beginnings and new perspectives.
Stories,
Myths & Legends associated with Birch
Crith
Gablach - Brehon
Law Poem
The
Green Champions
top
Last Updated -
August 11, 2023
© Shee-Eire:
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