White Birch Trees as Resource Species of Russia : Their Distribution, Ecophysiological Features, Multiple Utilizations

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Four birch tree species (Betula costata, B. pendula, B. platyphylla, B. pubescens) are traditionally important resource species in Russia. In the article, we discuss their spatial and ecophysiological features, biochemical constituents of the living tissues of the birches such as the wood, outer and inner bark, twigs, leaves, buds, roots. The exudation, tapping periods and sap productivity, exudated birch sap and derived birch tar are also reviewed. We show numerous useful wooden, medicinal, tanning, coloring as well as feeding and decorative properties. Chaga - (Inonotus obliquus), a fungi-parasite developed on the stems of the birch trees, is mentioned to be famous due to its antitumor and/or especially anti-cancer activity. It is reported that the former birch sap production being closed completely at the transition to a market-economy has restarted in the Russian Far East. Extensive bibliographic list is represented to acquaint foreign readers with unknown literature on white birches published in Russian.