- Birch bark
Birch bark or birchbark is generally understood to be the
bark of thePaper Birch tree ("Betula papyrifera"), or sometimes of related species such as Gray (Wire) Birch ("Betula populifolia").The strong and water-resistant cardboard-like bark can be easily cut, bent, and sewn, which made it a valuable building, crafting, and
writing material , since pre-historic times. Even today birch bark remains a popular material for varioushandicraft s and arts.Birch bark also contains substances of medicinal and chemical interest. Some of those products (such as
betulin ) also have fungicidal properties that help preserve bark artifacts, as well as food preserved in bark containers.Collection and storage
Birch bark can be removed fairly easily from the trunk or branches, living or recently dead, by cutting a slit lengthwise through the bark and pulling or prying it away from the wood. The best time for collection is spring or early
summer , as the bark is of better quality and most easily removed.Removing the outer (light) layer of bark from the trunk of a living tree may not kill it, but probably weakens it and makes it more prone to
infection s. Removal of the inner (dark) layer, thephloem , kills the tree by preventing the flow ofsap to theroot s.To prevent it from rolling up during storage, the bark should be spread open and kept pressed flat.
Working
Birch bark can be cut with a sharp
knife , and worked like cardboard. For sharp bending, the fold should be scored (scratched) first with a bluntstylus .Fresh bark can be worked as is; bark that has dried up (before or after collection) should be softened by steaming, by soaking in warm water, or over a fire.
Uses
Birch bark was a valuable construction material in any part of the world where birch trees were available. Containers like wrappings,
bag s,baskets ,box es, orquiver s were made by most societies well beforepottery was inventedFact|date=July 2008. Other uses include:*In
North America , the native population used birch bark forcanoe s,wigwam s, scrolls, ritual art (birch bark biting ),map s (including the oldest maps of North AmericaFact|date=July 2008),torch es, fans,musical instruments ,clothing , and more.
*InScandinavia andFinland , it had many uses, includingroof s, boxes,cask s andbucket s,fishing implements,shoe s (as used by theEgtved Girl ), etc..
*InRussia , manybirch bark document s have survived from theMiddle Ages .
*In theIndia n civilisation birch-bark, along with dried palm leaves, replacedparchment as the primary writing media. The oldest known Buddhist manuscripts (some of theGandharan Buddhist Texts ), fromAfghanistan , were written on birch barkFact|date=July 2008.Birch bark also makes an outstanding
tinder , as the inner layers will stay dry even through heavy rainstorms. To render birch bark useless as tinder, it must be soaked for an extended period.ee also
*
Mazinibaganjigan (Ojibwa birch bark decorative designs)
*Wiigwaasabak (Ojibwa birch bark scrolls)
* "" entry in WiktionaryReferences
*"
The Algonquin Birchbark Canoe " () byDavid Gidmark . [http://www.woodencanoe.net/shop/book/thealgonquin.html]External links
* [http://www.wwmag.net/barktorc.htm The Birch Bark Torch] , a "
Wilderness Way Magazine "'s article byKevin Finney .
* [http://www.nativetech.org/brchbark/ Birchbark articles] from the "NativeTech " site.
* [http://www.extension.umn.edu/specializations/environment/components/birchbark1.html Birch and Birch Bark] , an article byJohn Zasada at anUniversity of Minnesota site.
* [http://www.northhousefolkschool.com/classes/BoatBuilding.htm Birch Bark Canoe Building Courses] at theNorth House Folk School ,Minnesota .
* [http://www.algonquinsofpikwakanagan.com/Culture%20birch%20bark%20canoe%202004.htm Birch Bark Canoe] page on the site of theAlgonquin s ofPikwàganagàn .
*http://www.davidmosesbridges.com (Traditional Wabanaki Birch-Bark Craft)
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