Hard birch (Betula lenta)

Other names: black birch, silver birch, sweet birch, black birch, mahogany birch, cherry birch, Betula carpinifolia

The stiff birch (Betula lenta), also known in the Czech Republic as black birch or hornbeam birch, is a tree with a rounded but broad crown and thick, straight branches. The name 'black birch' refers to the colour of the bark, which is dark grey to black. It offers an attractive sight, especially during winter when the white contrast is apparent due to the frost. Other names such as sweet birch, black birch, mahogany birch, cherry birch or Betula carpinifolia are used mainly in English-speaking countries. It originally comes from the northeastern regions of the USA, from where it was introduced to Europe.

Hard birch wood is mainly used for furniture products, panels, flooring, joinery and carpentry. Due to its strength and durability, it is highly valued and is also used to make tools and sports equipment such as skis and hockey sticks. The hard birch also produces sweet birch sap, which is used in the production of the popular American syrup. Because of its sweet and spicy aroma, it is often used in the confectionery and food industries. The hard birch also plays a significant role in natural medicine in the treatment of rheumatism and similar ailments.