Identifying Bark

By now you know that bark is the outside, protective covering of a tree. And you should have some appreciation for the various characteristics of tree bark. Well, you have just scratched the surface. Bark is unique, interesting and useful. It has a history and cultural significance in some places in the world. Bark (birch) was used by Native Americans to make canoes in North America. In Europe, the wine industry depends on corks made from the bark of Cork oaks.

Bark of some trees has been used for thousands of years as a source of chemicals and dyes. Species like oaks, mangrove, osage orange and others provide tannins and natural dyes used in industry. There are many more tree species in other countries used for such purposes.

Bark is also used as food. One example is Cinnamon, which is a spice made from the inner bark of a tropical tree. Explore the world of tree bark.

Bark is widely used as mulch by gardeners too.

Web Links:

West Virginia University Tree Bark Pages

Virginia Tech University’s Dendrology Website

An Interactive Key of Common Iowa Trees

Trees of the Pacific Northwest