How can i be sure this is Birch?

[kat1elb]

Hi,

Just need a bit of advice... my dad has given me a big log for my degus which he thinks is from an old birch tree. I have looked at pictures of old birch trees online and it does look like one, but how can i be sure?

would it make sense to give them a bit of the bark first before i put it all in, or should i not chance it at all?

What would you do?

[kat1elb]

Anyone?

[davx]

Hello,

have a look at the shape of the leaves. Birch leaves have a typical shape. In addition at least the european species "Betula pendula" (silver birch) has a white bark and is in our flora the only tree with this significant attribute.

Here some photos from the silver birch (Betula pendula):

the leaves:


the bark:



or also a good link:
www.british-trees.com/treeguide/birches/nbnsys0000003827.htm

[kat1elb]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply... unfortunately it's just a log so can't id the leaves. Also it seems it is an old birch and they loose the silver as they get older so it's not as easy to tell.

It looks just like this...

www.shutterstock.com/pic-36287275/stock-photo-old-birch-tree-bark-texture-very-detailed-isolated-on-white.html

do you reckon i should chance it then?

[winic1]

It looks very much like birch. To be sure, you need to ask someone who is an expert in woods--a logger, a landscaper, a tree warden, forester....do you have a university nearby with a forestry or similar department? Does your town have a tree warden or tree specialist? Or a landscaper or tree trimmer might also know, if they deal in trees a lot.

[deguconvert]

Can you snap a photo of it (or two) and post it on here, so that we can see it for ourselves? That may help with identifying it.