Caption: For as long as there have been birch trees in New England, Native Americans have recognized the special uses to which the bark of this tree could be put. Native Americans of the Northeastern Forests made wide use of the outer bark of white (or paper) birch for canoe construction and wigwam coverings.
There are several types of birch trees and the best type of bark for items from canoes to containers is the paper birch, sometimes called white birch.