Betula lenta, Cherry Birch, Sweet Birch
50-80 feet tall; trunk diameter to 5 feet. Dark, reddish-brown, shiny bark with horizontally elongated lenticels. Bark most clearly distinguishes the black birch from other birches.
Grows slowly. Not usually found in extensive stands but among other broad-leafed trees.
Wood is heavy, hard, and very strong. An oil of wintergreen substitute can be distilled from the wood, and birch beer can be made from fermented sap.
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