The lovely and
widespread birch tree formerly had a valuable place in the Scottish
domestic economy. The wood was used for many household utensils, the
branches for shinty sticks, and the fine spray for brooms, ropes, and
withes. The leaves and twigs yeilded bright yellow dye, while the bark
was rolled into candles and beaten into paper. Birch leaf tea was drunk
to relieve rheumatism, and fresh birch sap is a oleasant drink,
believed by Highlanders to be beneficial for kidneys and bladder; it
also makes delicious wine. It was considered unlucky `to pu' the
birks so green `, and seeing green birch in a dream presage ill. Birch
growing with briars on the graves of two lovers indicated that death
had not divided them.
