brzoza

Brzoza is the Polish word for birch, a genus of deciduous trees. Birches are known for their distinctive papery bark, which often peels in thin strips and can range in color from white and silver to yellow and even dark brown. They are typically fast-growing trees with slender, often upright branches.

The genus Betula, to which birches belong, is native to northern temperate and boreal regions. They are commonly found in cooler climates across Europe, Asia, and North America. Birches are often pioneer species, meaning they are among the first trees to colonize open or disturbed areas.

Birch trees have a relatively short lifespan compared to some other tree species, often living for around 50 to 100 years. Their leaves are typically simple, toothed, and ovate or triangular. In autumn, birch leaves often turn a vibrant yellow before falling.

In Poland and other cultures, birch wood is utilized for various purposes, including furniture making, plywood, paper production, and as firewood. The sap of some birch species can be tapped in spring and consumed as a refreshing drink or used to produce birch syrup. The distinctive bark has also been historically used for writing, crafts, and even as a building material in some regions.