More deciduous trees…

Yay, you’re back! Last week, I went over three of the common deciduous trees in Alaska. This week, I have two more for you: Aspen and Birch. Well, let’s get to it. It’s summer and there’s lots to do!

Quaking Aspen

Populus tremuloides

Also known as trembling aspen due to the way the leaves tremble in the wind. Additionally, it’s known as white poplar. I love watching the leaves dance, it’s very mesmerizing.

Food use: The catkins can be eaten raw. Additionally, they are an excellent source of vitamin C. The inner bark can be eaten raw. On the other hand, you could dry it and grind it into a flour.

Medicinal use: A cool thing I learned is that the white powder on the trunk is a moderate sunscreen, but only like 4 SPF. Like the other deciduous trees in found in Alaska, all aspects contain salicin (just not as much as willow). The bark is anti-inflammatory and you can use them in infusions or liniments. Additionally you can make salves out of the bark or leaves for skin problems. The other thing you can use the tea for is to stimulate digestion, especially if there’s a loss of appetite. If you are having problems with cystitis or diarrhea, the tea is also good for helping with those problems.

Cautions: If you harvest a lot of the quaking aspen, you could develop an allergic reaction. Use aspen in moderation internally as overuse could cause build-up of salicin and populin.

Deciduous trees Aspen — Leaves of the quaking aspen

Birch

Betula papyrifera, B. kenaica, B. nana, B. glandulosa, B. neoalaskana

My other favorite deciduous tree (the first one is Balsam Poplar). Tapping birch trees in the springtime is one of the first harvesting ventures I get to do each year.

Food use: I love the sap, which is also called birch water because it has the consistency and look of water. However, unlike regular water, it has a lot of vitamins and nutrients which make it the perfect spring drink to get your immune system going. Something that Jason and I do is freeze the sap we collect into ice cubes so that we can use it throughout the year. The main reason we don’t make syrup is that it takes 80-100 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup. The leaves, on the other hand, can be used in salads. Lastly, the inner bark can be used as a flour substitute, but is best in the spring.

Medicinal use: Something I learned recently is that birch sap is one of the only things that will actually dissolve kidney stones. Additionally, the leaves can be used to help with urinary or kidney problems, cystitis, and edema. The inner bark can be used as a decoct to help diarrhea while the leaves and outer bark contain salicin which can be used topically for arthritis, gout, and muscle soreness. For sinus congestion, make a steam bath with the leaves for relief. Coincidentally, the buds can be used in the same way as balsam poplar.

Cautions: If you’re going to boil any part, don’t do it in a closed container or for a long time. Boiling it that way will concentrate the salicylic acid which could affect people who are hypersensitive to aspirin.