IT'S MONOMONDAY

It is Mono Monday and the Challenge Theme is TEXTURE.
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This is a Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera); ya know....it's pretty well true that most people can't see the forest for the trees.  We look at them every day but notice so little about them. We consider ourselves to be observant but all we see is the tree and none of the details.  Lots of people know a birch tree when they see one but are unaware that there are 40 species distributed across the northern hemisphere.  And it's only the details that sets one apart from the other.
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For example.....notice those horizontal lines that occur in the bark?  Those are called lenticels and upon microscopic examination you would see that they are small holes that allow for gas exchange between the outer bark and inner bark cells.....specifically carbon dioxide and oxygen. Other than the tips of the branches, roots and the leaves, the inner bark is the only living part of the tree. It needs to breathe and equalize gas pressures.
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All 40 species are fast growing and short lived......often the first to grow in disturbed areas they are known as pioneer plants.
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Just roll your eyes over the bark of this paper birch and you will see clearly how it got its name. Look at sections of the bark and notice all the subtle textures that occur from one place to another.  The white bark contrasts nicely with the rest of the darker forest trees.  Birch logs look nice on a pile of firewood but they do not make good firewood.  Birchwood burns hot and fast.....not suitable for cooking coals as they don't last too long and are way too hot and hard to control.
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BEST IN LARGE.