birch-refers to the common name of various deciduous trees, of the beta-rosaceae family, genus Betula. They are species of medium height, milky white bark, flexible and hanging branches, diamond-shaped leaves, small, pointed and toothed, with male and female flowers on the same foot; it is distributed almost all over Europe, and is used in carpentry and cabinetry, in the manufacture of rustic shoes, baskets, boxes, etc. Its leaves have medicinal properties and its bark contains an essential oil that is used to tan different types of skin-