Silver birch

High school (ages 12+)
Environment & Earth

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/silver-birch

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Betula pendula
2. What is the lifespan?Average 60-100 years, with potential for longer life under optimal conditions
3. Where can you find silver birch trees?Silver birches grow across Europe and temperate Asia, from the Atlantic coast to Siberia, the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean mountains, and east to the Korean Peninsula and northeastern China.
4. Why does the silver birch have white bark?The white bark contains betulin, a compound that protects the tree from UV light and insects.

Pioneer Species: Organisms that are the first to colonize a barren or disturbed environment, initiating ecological succession.
Mycorrhizal Association: A symbiotic relationship between a fungus and the roots of a plant, benefiting both organisms.
Forest Succession: The process by which the structure of a plant community changes over time, often from simple to complex.
Betulin: A triterpene found in the bark of birch trees, known for its protective properties and historical uses.