How does birch care for us?

Birch has been on this earth since before the dinosaurs went extinct.  A thin leaved, short lived, slender hardwood, she is one of the most iconic trees of the northeastern United States.  Their role in their local ecologies is multifaceted and powerful; they colonize cleared land, and are able to regenerate in tiny canopy gaps. Their fallen leaves remediate acidic soils.  They are pioneers that create a welcoming world for other species: trees, bushes, grasses, as well as wildlife who depend on them for food and homes.  Silver Birch has been studied for its ability to phytoremediate toxic landscapes.  River Birches are planted to stop soil erosion. 

Black Birch, like most birches, is able to thrive in a wide range of soil conditions, and importantly in the northeast, can easily resist the nibbling of deer.  Their characteristics of being highly adaptable, of being the first to colonize cleared land, of being able to withstand adverse conditions make birch a surprising ally for new beginnings, renewal, and adaptability. 

In one ancient Hellenic practice of phyllomancy, or divining by way of rustling leaves, birches in sacred groves were visited to help make decisions and show the path forward.