Did you know that over 75% of Finland is covered in forests? That makes it the most forest-covered country in Europe! In comparison, just around 35% of the land in the U.S. is covered in forests. People in Finland use the wood from forests to build homes, make heat and generate products. They make wood planks, cardboard and paper from trees! Because of the abundance of trees, many Finnish businesses are in the forestry industry. And of all the trees in Finland, one truly stands out the most: the birch tree.
Birch trees are one of the most iconic trees in Finland. In fact, the birch tree is Finland's national tree! I loved when I first arrived in Finland and saw so many tall, skinny, white bark-covered birch trees. Not only are birch trees important for the forestry industry, they are also important habitats for birds, insects and animals. Birch trees can live for between 60 and 100 years. They grow between 50 to 100 feet tall (15 to 25 meters).
Birch trees have tall, narrow trunks with pretty white bark. Their leaves are green in the spring and summer, then turn yellow in the fall before completely falling off in the winter. This makes birch trees deciduous trees, meaning they lose their leaves every year to prepare for winter.
Birch trees really love the sun and want to get as close to it as possible.
