Range: Eastern United States.

Soil and location: The gray birch does best in a deep, rich soil, but
will also grow in poor soils.

Enemies: The _bronze-birch borer_, a wood-destroying insect, and
_Polyporus betulinus_, a fungus, are its chief enemies.

Value for planting: Its graceful habit and attractive bark gives the
tree an important place in ornamental planting. It may be used to
advantage with evergreens, and produces a charming effect when
planted by itself in clumps.

[Illustration: FIG. 52.--Bark of the Beech.]

[Illustration: FIG. 53.--Buds of the Beech Tree.]

Commercial value: The wood is soft and not durable. It is used in the
manufacture of small articles and for wood pulp.

Other characters: The _fruit is a catkin_.

Comparisons: The _paper birch_ (_Betula papyrifera_) is apt to be
confused with the gray birch, because both have a white bark. The
bark of the paper birch, however, is a clear white and peels off in
thin papery layers instead of being close. It very seldom shows any
dark triangular markings on the trunk. Its terminal twigs are not
rough and its trunk is usually straighter and freer from branches.

The _black_ or _sweet birch_ (_Betula lenta_) has a bark similar to