<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><mads xmlns="http://www.loc.gov/mads/" xmlns:mods="http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.loc.gov/mads/
mads.xsd"><authority><topic authority="http://AATesaurus.cultura.gencat.cat/aat/getty_en">Betula papyrifera</topic></authority><related type="other"><topic>paper birch</topic></related><related type="broader"><topic>Betula</topic></related><variant type="other"><topic>American birch</topic></variant><variant type="other"><topic>American silver birch</topic></variant><variant type="other"><topic>American white birch</topic></variant><variant type="other"><topic>canoe birch</topic></variant><variant type="other"><topic>paper birch</topic></variant> <note xml:lang="en"><![CDATA[ Species of fast growing, short-lived, ornamental, shade, and timber tree native to northern and central North America, typically around 18 meters (60 feet) in height, with a brown bark that whitens over time and peels into paper-thin layers marked by narrow horizontal pores or lenticels. On the copper-colored inner bark, the pores are bright orange. Short, pendulous branches and numerous flexible twigs create a lacy silhouette in winter. The close-grained, almost white wood is used for turned articles, flooring, furniture, woodenware, pulp, and fuel. North American Indians used the thin, water-impervious bark for roofing, canoes, and writing material (thus the name "paper birch"). It is a pioneer species after fire. The sap is boiled down to produce birch syrup. The tree is known in several varieties. ]]></note></mads>