NH Troubadour December, 1947
New Hampshire Chooses A State Tree
By Evelyn W. Cortez
In May, 1947, the canoe birch, Betula papyrifera, also known as the White Birch, became, by vote of the State Legislature, New Hampshire’s official tree… Not only is it native to NH…Historically, the White Birch goes back to the days of the Indians and early settlers.
It has a long record of usefulness to man…They learned to dry and grind the inner bark into meal. They fashioned its light, tough, and waterproof outer bark into cups, spoons, pots, pans, boxes and even writing paper. They peeled huge strips to make roofs for their wilderness huts. But most thrilling of all they paddled through winding streams or dared the swift rivers in bark canoes. For the canoe birch had provided man with transportation in the wilderness.
For all these reasons—its familiarity in the NH scene, its striking beauty, and its historical and economic interest—New Hampshire adopted as its own the tree which Ernest Thompson Seton calls “The White Queen of the Woods—the source of food, drink, transport, and lodging of those who lived in the forest—the most bountiful provider of all the trees.”
NH Troubadour December, 1937
by Grace Noll Crowell
the years,
Let us keep Christmas still a
shining thing;
Whatever doubts assail us, or
what fears,
Let us hold close one day,
remembering
Its poignant meaning for the
hearts of men.
Let us get back our childlike
faith again.
Wealth may have taken wings,
yet still there are
Clear windowpanes to glow
with candlelight;
There are boughs for garlands,
and a tinsel star
To tip some little fir tree’s
lifted height.
There is no heart too heavy or
too sad,
But some small gift of love can
make it glad.
