The recent snow provided evidence of wind direction and seed dispersal. The attached images show the profuse quantity of light brown seed held in the catkins of Betula platyphylla.

Dispersed by wind over a large area the seed and catkin scales stand out on the reflective ice crystals.

A native of Eastern and N. Asia and well established in the garden on the upper Birch lawn.

Nearby a specimen of the Eastern North American B. alleghaniensis has produced a similar but less prolific effect; look closely at the distinctive hanging bat shaped catkin scales which differ from the more delicate swallow shape of those of B. platyphylla.

Betula platyphylla seeds

Betula platyphylla seeds

Betula alleghaniensis seeds