New Hampshire’s State Tree
Members of the New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs championed New Hampshire’s state flower, the purple lilac. They also campaigned for the white birch, which was adopted as New Hampshire’s state tree in 1947. There was reportedly no argument or opposition.
According to the New Hampshire Almanac, the legislation was sponsored by Senator J. Guy Smart of Durham, on behalf of the New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs, of which Mrs. Helen C. Funkhauser of Durham was president. The bill was signed into law on May 22 by Governor Charles M. Dale of Portsmouth.
Evelyn W. Cortez labeled the birch “Queen Of The Woods” in an article in the December, 1947, issue of New Hampshire Troubadour, the one-time esteemed state government booklet. The article said in part:
“There are several reasons for choosing the white birch for the state tree. Not only is it native to New Hampshire -- a first consideration -- but it is found in all regions of the state, growing as it does on rich-wooded slopes and along the borders of lakes and streams. It is a characteristic part of the scenery.”
The white birch also represents Saskatchewan, while Finland’s national tree is the European white birch.
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