The issue of “Kórniczanin” (No. 15/2025) in the series “News from the Kórnik Gardens” featured an article entitled “Why is birch white?” by Prof. Daniel J. Chmura and Dr. Marzenna Guzicka from the Institute of Dendrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The text answers the question: where does the characteristic color of birch bark come from? The authors present both folk tales and scientific explanations related to the presence of betulin, a chemical compound that gives the bark its white color and protects the tree. The article also reveals the fascinating world of bark—its structure, protective functions, and importance in nature and for humans.
