Russia has long been called the birch land. They loved the birch, passed on beliefs about it, composed poems and songs, performed rituals and held round dances in the spring.

Let us remember the song “There was a birch tree in the field.” There are the words “break the white birch,” which, it turns out, does not mean at all that it is about to be broken. They broke a birch tree - bending its trunk to the ground and lovingly intertwining it with grass, the birch trunk is flexible and does not break. There was such a ritual before.

Birch is still very much loved in Russia and is called the Russian beauty. Although this tree is fragile in appearance, it has enormous internal strength and grows in North America, Japan, China, and many other countries.

Only birch was able to live in the tundra, withstanding any winds and frosts. Scientists conducted an experiment and placed birch branches in a chamber with a temperature of minus 273 degrees. After which they were taken out, and after a while the frozen branches came to life.

By the way, Birches are not only white. There are about 65 more different types. For example, in Transbaikalia, the Daurian birch tree grows, which has dark birch bark. On the Kuril Islands and in Japan you can find “red birch”, whose wood is orange-red.

The Schmidt birch is amazing, which is also called iron birch, with very durable wood, which in some ways is not inferior to iron and even stronger than cast iron!

There is also a birch, which is called paper birch for its bright white bark, which is easily divided into thin strips. The common silver birch, or as it is also called, “weeping” birch, also has white bark.

Birch is the favorite tree of our people, personifying the Russian soul, a tree of extraordinary kindness. It is also called the tree of life. The esoteric teaching of trees connects with birch two runes of the Elder Futhark - Berkan and Uruz. Since time immemorial, the birch tree itself has been associated with fertility and healing magic; birch branches were used to impart fertility not only to the earth, but also to livestock and newlyweds. Cradles for newborns were made from birch wood (in almost all European countries!).

Symbolically and magically, the birch appears as a protection against all misfortunes, both physical and spiritual. Birch is extremely useful and very favorable in healing spells, spells aimed at strengthening the harvest. Birch branches (especially those that have just blossomed in spring) are rightly considered an excellent talisman, driving away sorrows and illnesses, protecting children from illnesses and many other troubles). Birch is gentle and compassionate, has a very soft, affectionate and at the same time strong influence. In contrast to oak, sick, weakened, and recovering people should turn to birch. It will ease suffering, help restore lost strength, make it easier to endure the disease, and speed up the healing process.

Communication with birch is useful for people with upset nerves and depression. This tree relieves fatigue, neutralizes the negative effects of everyday stress, promotes recovery spiritual harmony. A birch tree growing next to the house drives away nightmares. The impact of this tree is long lasting. It’s better not to come to it, but to live nearby, then it can heal you. Birch has always been credited with the ability to ward off evil spirits.

Why is birch bark white?

In the woody layer, which only birch has. It's called birch bark.

Birch bark is white, with long black stripes. Scientists have found in it a substance that is found only in birch, and it is this that colors the birch bark. White color. It was named betulin using Latin name birch trees It is believed that it is this that gives birch such resistance to frost.

In addition, betulin has an antimicrobial effect because it contains silver ions that have this property. Therefore, walks in a birch grove are very useful, and various medicines are made from birch.

To do this, carefully take from the birch, so as not to harm the tree, the leaves, bark, sap and buds with which the birch is strewn in the spring.

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Why is the beautiful white canvas of a birch trunk pierced with black stripes? Everything is very simple. The fact is that the birch bark is very dense, the cells of the bark are so close to each other that they form a dense, almost impenetrable layer; with such a structure of the bark, air simply could not flow to the living cells of the trunk. This is where the black stripes on the birch trunk come to the rescue - these are lentils. Beneath them there is a looser structure, the intercellular distance in which is much greater. Air freely penetrates the living cells of the trunk, providing the birch with the process of respiration.

The white bark of birches is the result of the tree containing a rare white pigment called betulin. The more of this pigment the bark contains, the lighter it looks. It is not yet completely clear why birch trees need betulin. It has many interesting functions, including fungicidal. So, most likely, betulin is formed in the bark of birches to protect the bark from fungi, and these trees receive the white color as a free supplement.

Besides birch trees, only a small number of plants have betulin, but this does not mean that other plants have not invented other ways to take care of themselves. Indeed, in addition to betulin, plants form a huge spectrum protective substances, acting on fungi, protozoa, and bacteria - for example, the famous phytoncides, which are rich in onions and garlic. Poisons that protect plants from herbivores are also common, for example, castor bean ricin and atropine henbane. In general, plants have invented a lot different ways stand up for yourself, and birch betulin is just one of them.

To others interesting features Betulin includes its ability to trigger apoptosis of cells of certain types of tumors, reduce the size of atherosclerotic plaques, and also promote weight loss in obese people. Hundreds of scientific papers have been devoted to research into the properties of betulin that are useful for medicine. So the white color of birches is not the only interesting consequence of these trees’ attempts to protect themselves from fungal infections.

By the way, not all birch trees have a white trunk. For example, the Schmidt birch and the Daurian birch, which grow in our Far East, have a dark trunk. And the cherry birch, which comes from North America, - cherry red.

But for a tree, such a “shell” is not only beneficial, but can also cause harm by simply strangling it. living plant. The core of a birch trunk needs to breathe. This is where black stripes come to the rescue. These are the so-called " lentils“- areas of the bark with a looser air- and moisture-permeable structure. The older the tree gets, the more noticeable the “lentils” become.

Through them the tree breathes, as if through pores. Old birch trees often have bark dotted with deep black grooves, like human face wrinkles, and on young trees, the bark is almost all white, tender and silky, like the skin of a baby. Nothing happens “just like that” in nature; even the color of birch bark has important for a plant.

1. There are about one hundred species of birch trees on our planet. In Russia, this tree species is one of the most common (see. Interesting Facts about forests).
2. Birch buds and leaves are actively used in medicine as an antipyretic, bactericidal, diuretic and wound-healing agent.
3. The image of the birch tree is widespread in the culture of the Slavs, Finno-Ugrians, Scandinavians and some other peoples.
4. The word “birch” in the Proto-Slavic language is derived from the verb “to turn white, to lighten.”
5. Most birches grow up to 30-45 meters with a trunk girth of up to 150 centimeters. There are also shrubs in this genus that barely rise from the ground.
6. Birch seeds are extremely light - 5000 seeds weigh about 1 gram, so the wind can carry them a great distance from the mother tree.
7. Most birch trees tolerate permafrost and grows far beyond the Arctic Circle.
8. Birch trees can grow in almost any soil - wet, swampy, dry and rocky.
9. The average lifespan of birch trees is about 100 years, although some trees live up to 400 years or more.
10. The stag beetle, the largest beetle in Europe, lives in the wood of birches (see interesting facts about insects).
11. Some types of mushrooms grow exclusively under birch trees - these are boletus, birch White mushroom, black milk mushroom and pink milkweed, as well as some varieties of russula.
12. Orthodox Christians often decorate churches and houses with birch branches on Trinity Day.
13. Birch leaves and alum produce yellow dye for wool.
14. In the past, birch beams were often used to illuminate peasant huts, because this wood burns brightly and produces almost no smoke.
15. Birch firewood is considered the best.
16. Birch brooms are not only an obligatory attribute of Russian baths, but also feed for livestock, which is prepared for the winter.
17. It is not recommended to erect any buildings from birch logs, because the wood quickly begins to rot.
18. Birch wood is used to make skis, toys, plywood and butts for firearms. Burls (growths formed on different parts of birch trees) thanks to beautiful drawing wood is used for cutting snuff boxes, cigarette cases, boxes and decorative furniture parts.
19. Birch bark (birch bark) is an excellent material for weaving baskets, bast shoes, baskets and boxes.
20. In ancient times, birch bark was used as paper - it is not afraid of moisture, thanks to which many records from the 11th–15th centuries have survived to this day.
21. Nations inhabiting Far East and the North, they make boats from birch bark and build their own dwellings (chums).
22. Birch sap, which begins to be collected after the first spring thaw, is used to prepare a variety of drinks. One large tree can produce more than a bucket of sap per day without harming itself.
23. According to ancient folk beliefs, the smell of birch helps protect against the evil eye and saves from melancholy. It was also believed that birch sap collected in certain days March and April, is able to cleanse the blood.
24. When birch leaves decompose, substances are formed that stimulate the growth of other plants.

WHY IS THE WHITE BIRCH

Throughout the life of the birch, from young age until old age, the bark that covers its trunk changes greatly in its own way appearance. A small birch tree, which is no higher than the knee, has a trunk covered with brownish bark. A middle-aged birch tree has pure white bark with black streaks that run across the trunk. During this period, the trees are especially elegant. An old birch tree that is reaching the end of its life has a trunk covered with spotted black and white bark. White islands of birch bark are scattered against a general black background. This spotty picture results from the fact that the tree grows thicker and deep cracks form in the bark. They are overgrown not with birch bark, but with other protective tissues that have dark color. Birch bark is preserved only in the spaces between cracks.

Our entire further story will be about birch bark. The main purpose of birch bark is to protect the internal living tissues of the trunk from drying out. This is precisely its main, vital role for the tree. And the birch bark is designed in such a way that it protects the trunk well from water loss. It fully serves its purpose. The birch bark cells fit together very tightly, like well-laid bricks. There are no gaps between them - intercellular spaces. In addition, the cells are firmly connected, firmly glued together. The cell walls are impregnated with a special fat-like substance that does not allow water to pass through. All this ensures the preservation of moisture inside the trunk.

Birch bark grows in thickness every year. Over the years it becomes thicker and thicker. But the increase each year is small - like a sheet of ordinary writing paper. Interestingly, the growth comes from within. Therefore, the youngest layers are located deepest, while the oldest, on the contrary, lie on the surface. The outer layers are often partially shed in the form of fragments of a thin white film that are fluttered by the wind.

When we tear off a piece of birch bark, we notice that it is thin-layered. Each layer is the growth of one year. The individual layers are tightly welded together, forming a single whole. Birch bark looks like a thin book with many pages stuck together.

Now about coloring birch bark. Why is she white! The fact is that birch bark cells contain a special white coloring substance. Therefore, the birch trunk gets dirty. If you touch a birch tree in dark clothes, it will leave a mark like chalk. So, in this case, whiteness is due to a special substance. This is a phenomenon in flora very rare. As a rule, in plants the situation is completely different. Nature almost always does without any white paint. There are many examples of this kind. The white petals of the flowers of bird cherry, apple tree, lily of the valley and other plants do not contain any special dye. The petal cells are completely colorless and transparent, like tiny droplets of water. But between them there are intercellular spaces filled with air. These microscopic voids reflect light and give the appearance of a white color. There is a complete analogy with snow. Individual snowflakes are completely colorless and transparent, but snow is white. This is explained by the fact that there are air gaps between the snowflakes. Moisten the snow with water - it will immediately lose its white color.

So, white color in plants is very common, and white paint is extremely rare, as an exception. This unusual phenomenon can only be observed in birch trees.

There are many more interesting things that can be said about birch bark. One cannot help but remember, for example, that this is the material on which our ancestors wrote. Birch bark certificates were widespread in ancient Novgorod. Birch bark is like a kind of ancient Russian papyrus.

Tar was previously extracted from birch bark, which was widely used in everyday life. A large quantity was needed.

And remember that birch bark is made various items household use - all kinds of boxes, baskets, tueski, etc. This handicraft has survived to this day.

Finally, birch bark is very good for lighting stoves and fires. It is a very flammable material. This property can be useful to us now. With the help of birch bark you can, for example, make a fire even during rain. And sometimes it is necessary.

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Bath massage helps to get rid of many ailments associated with the respiratory tract, cardiovascular and integumentary systems. About these miraculous properties The ancient Russians also knew, who passed on from generation to generation the knowledge of how to dry birch bathhouse brooms. The procedure is quite simple and accessible to everyone.

Why is the birch tree a symbol of Russia?

Tyutchev, Yesenin and Rubtsov dedicated heartfelt lines to this tree. This is what emigrants remember when they think about their Motherland. White-trunked is a symbol of our country, although this fact is not officially recognized (like, for example, sakura in Japan). The reasons for worship are as follows:

• Birch is a typical inhabitant of the Golden Ring, the cradle of the Russian state. Despite the fact that over hundreds of years Russia conquered Siberia and the borders Central Asia, cedar and saxaul could not change the traditional idea of ​​Russian nature;
• Bright and memorable appearance. The white trunk, dotted with black dashed stripes, makes the tree unlike anything else and stands out among other species;
• The plant was a symbol of the pagan Slavic deity Beregini, who protected from illnesses, evil spirits and ensured fertility;
• Slavic tribes used the bark of this tree as a writing medium (birch bark);
• Before the Westernization of Russia by Peter the Great The symbol of the beginning of the new year was not spruce, but birch. Its flowering symbolized the awakening of nature from winter oblivion.

Technology for drying twigs with leaves

The plant would never have taken an important place in the soul of the people if brooms for bathhouses had not been made from its branches. For many generations of residents of our country, it was impossible to imagine the washing process without these devices.

When drying branches, the following points must be taken into account:

• Do not allow active air exchange in the storage room. Otherwise, the unique aroma of birch leaves will disappear forever;
• No foreign odors. Freshly painted walls can ruin a dozen brooms;
• Temperature conditions range from 8 to 27 degrees;
• Avoid direct contact with workpieces. sun rays and exposure to high humidity;
• The optimal place for drying is a non-residential space in the house (attic, storage room, garage);
• The duration of the procedure is about 14 days;
• Ready-made dry brooms are hung (not folded!) from the ceiling and left to be stored until X hour, until the time comes to use them in practice.

Why are black stripes needed on a birch trunk?

One of the most striking features of the national Russian tree is the stripes that dot its trunk from top to bottom. These formations not only have an aesthetic function, but also play an important role in the life support of the plant. Oxygen flows through them, necessary for the tree to breathe.

Are formed lentils- this is exactly the name of the black strokes on the trunk - as follows:

1. The skin of a young plant has special micro-holes, or stomata. They are formed between a pair of cells and have a slit-like shape;
2. As soon as the plant begins to prepare for the winter cold, the stomata begin to rise outward due to the fact that the tissues underneath them increase in size;
3. A tubercle of porous material is formed on the surface of the trunk, which allows air to pass through perfectly;
4. A crack may form at the site of the stomata, which further increases gas exchange;
5. The outer primary integumentary tissue begins to die and a plug forms;

Principles of broom massage

But let's get back to the brooms. So, they are already ready and can’t wait for the owner to put them into action. But here's the problem: availability hot water and sewers in every apartment spoiled the inhabitants of the cities.

Few people now know how to handle bundles of branches in a bathhouse. But there is nothing complicated about it:

• Place a broom in a vat of warm water repeatedly. Then pour a couple of ladles of hot water into it and wait until the twigs with leaves soften;
• Apply treatment immediately hot water not recommended: foliage may fall off;
• You should use a broom only after the second entry into the steam room, when the body is properly warmed up;
• Wave the bundle several times over the lying person so that the hot air envelops him from head to toe;
• Sliding brooms over the entire body without coming off;
• Then comes a series of small, barely noticeable blows to stimulate blood circulation;
• If the temperature in the steam room is very high, you can periodically dip the bundle in cold water to make the sensation more comfortable.

Birch suvel: what is it? (photo)

Wood used by humans economic activity, is not always in perfect condition. Various deficiencies in the physical characteristics of wood material are called defects. In deciduous trees there is often the so-called suvel- a defect in the structure of the fibers, in which a smooth growth is formed on the trunk.

The reasons for the formation of suvel are not fully known to science. Scientists make the following assumptions:

• Impact of weather and climatic conditions;
• Mechanical damage to wood;
• Fungal infection of wood;
• Sometimes it is possible to artificially create a growth by wrapping the trunk with wire.

The texture of the growth can be different: from marbled to red-brown. In most cases, dark shades are observed.

Despite the fact that in logging, Suvel is recognized as a wood defect, folk craftsmen highly value this anomalous formation. The blanks are used to make souvenirs, women's jewelry, mugs, and even serve as a canvas for carving.

How does birch reproduce?

The tree is an extremely tenacious species and is prone to reproducing its own kind even after a forest fire. Among the methods of reproduction are:

1. Seeds. Occurs provided there is open space. When female flowers are pollinated by male flowers, seeds are formed that fall to the ground in the autumn-winter period. Having survived the cold, they successfully germinate in the spring;
2. Overgrowth. If the tree is not looked after in any way for several years, then young shoots will appear near its base. They are formed from buds “sleeping” on the root system of the plant;
3. Cuttings. To do this, in spring or summer, shoots are cut from birch trees that are more than two years old and an incision is made at the end of the seedling (so it can better absorb moisture). Planting is done only after roots have formed. Bury the cuttings in an open and well-lit area 2-3 centimeters into the soil.

The seed propagation method is also used for decorative purposes. After the catkins have acquired a brown color, they are collected and planted six months later, in the spring.

There is a number of knowledge worthy of being included in the Red Book: how to weave bast shoes, embroider on a hoop, how to dry birch bathhouse brooms. Until the achievements of civilization completely destroy the tradition of washing in a bathhouse, we list the main stages of the process: we prepare branches, dry them and hang them from the ceiling.

Video instruction: how to properly dry a birch broom

In this video, Viktor Medvedev will tell you in detail about the process of preparing brooms for a bath: