Birch trees are a great natural resource with almost the entire tree being utilised. The twigs can be used for besoms, the timber for furniture and flooring, the bark for roofing and canoes, and even the sap for wine.

The waste timber and residue at plywood mills is used for boiler fuel thus helping reduce their other energy needs.

Birch is an abundant species found in the forests of the northern hemisphere being widespread across Russia and most of Northern Europe.

They are fast growing and support a myriad of wildlife. If managed correctly as a sustainable forest resource the cutting down of trees does not impinge on the natural biodiversity.