Red birch Betulus rubra

The Red birch (B. rubra) belongs chiefly to the south, being scarcely ever seen north of Virginia. It prefers the moist soil of river banks, where it reaches a noble height. It takes its name from the cinnamon or reddish color of the outer bark on the young trees; when old it becomes rough, furrowed, and greenish. The leaves are light green on the upper surface, whitish beneath, very pointed at the end. and terminated at the base in an acute angle. The twigs are long, flexible, and pendulous; and the limbs of a brown color, spotted with white.