Betula lenta
This birch, also
known as sweet or cherry birch grows in and along the slopes of deep, cool, moist ravines. It grows
from Maine, Quebec, and Ontario; to Delaware, Maryland, and Ohio; and in Georgia and Alabama.
The bark somewhat
resembles that of wild cherry. Although the leaves of this and yellow birch are very similar, the
leaves of the black birch are more heart-shaped at the base.
Oil of wintergreen is obtained by distilling the twigs and inner bark of this tree. One can readily detect the wintergreen oil just by smelling a freshly broken twig. Both birch beer and birch tea are make from black birch.
